None of three candidates received majority of votes

CAMPOBELLO — With 71 votes counted, a runoff is necessary for the race for the town of Campobello’s mayor, as none of the three candidates received a majority of the votes.

A special election was held Tuesday to fill the open seat of Campobello mayor, after former Mayor Ray Copeland resigned in September because of failing health. He died at the age of 95 in October.

The most votes were given to Phillip Wilds, who received 31 votes, or 43.66 percent, according to unofficial results from the Spartanburg County Registration and Elections Office.

Candidate Lee “Lydia” Neves received 28 votes, or 39.44 percent, and Penny Ford received 11 votes, or 15.49 percent.

The runoff will be between Wilds and Neves.

“No candidate received a majority of votes; therefore, unofficially it will result in a runoff election in two weeks, on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018,” Director Henry Laye said.

Laye also said the provisional ballot hearing and certification of Tuesday’s results will be at 10 a.m. Thursday.

The town of Campobello has a total of 350 registered voters, who cast 11 votes for Ford, 28 for Neves, 31 for Wilds and one write-in on Tuesday.

The total voter turnout for Tuesday’s special election was 20.29 percent.

Mayor Copeland served on the Campobello Town Council for 21 years before being elected mayor, which he held for another 13 years prior to his resignation. Copeland helped establish the town’s fire department and served as the town’s postmaster for 33 years prior to his retirement.

When Copeland resigned in September, the town council presented him with a plaque recognizing him for his many years of service.

Copeland was born in Landrum and moved to Campobello in 1953. He was a World War II veteran, and held offices in the Campobello Men’s Civic Group, the Lions Club and the Boy Scouts.

The race to replace Copeland includes two political newcomers and one current town council member.

Neves, 48, has been a Campobello Town Council member since 2006.

Wilds, 57, a political newcomer, grew up in Hendersonville before moving to Campobello in 2011.

Ford, 58, also a political newcomer, has lived in Campobello for the past 40 years.