All Other County Council Members Win Primaries
Few observers thought Mike Barnes had even a slight chance of defeating Joe Baldwin in the GOP Primary race for Greenville County Council in District 18. Baldwin is a former member of Greer City Council who replaced Councilman Tony Trout when he was convicted of a federal crime and sent to the federal prison in West Virginia.
Some of the District 18 constituents thought Baldwin remained loyal to the city of Greer and paid less attention to the rural parts of the district. Barnes was apparently able to tap into that sentiment and rack up votes outside the city.
Barnes received 1,103 votes or 55.54 percent of the vote to 883 and 44.46 percent for Baldwin.
All other Republican Greenville County Council incumbents won their bids for reelection. All Democrat challengers had been removed from the ballot based on the State Supreme Court Rulings.
Scott Stephens conducted a well-organized hard fought campaign against incumbent Dr. Sid Cates. Cates won with 1,654 votes or 53.82 percent to 1,419 votes for Stephens and 46.18 percent.
Dr. Bob Taylor easily defeated challenger Jenn Webb with 2,001 votes to 1,319 or 60.27 percent to 39.73 percent. Jim Burns will also return to the Council for four more years.
With the exception of the replacement of Joe Baldwin with Mike Barnes, Greenville County Council will likely see no change for two more years when the incumbents in uneven numbered districts will be up for reelection.