Incumbents won the day on Election Day 2021 in Hartwell.
All of the incumbents running for seats in Hartwell won their spots back, despite them all being contested.
“I feel like this is a verification that the majority of the people in the city like the direction we are headed,” mayor Brandon Johnson said. “They like seeing the vibrancy of the community. They like seeing the businesses full. They like to see people doing well.”
Hartwell turned out in large numbers to vote with approximately 800 people casting their ballots for the positions in the city. The turnout was nearly four times greater than the amount in the last contested city election in 2019.
Johnson was reelected mayor after defeating challenger Jadrickus Patterson 587 to 205.
“Thank you to everyone for their support. I have enjoyed serving Hartwell and look forward to the next four years,” Johnson said. “I’m optimistic we are going to see Hartwell reach its full potential and there are a lot of great things in the works.”
Sitting city council member Tray Hicks beat former county commissioner R.C. Oglesby 469 to 282 to retain his seat.
“I believe that the city of Hartwell believes in the direction Hartwell is going with the planned pro-growth we’ve been doing,” Hicks said. “I want to thank the citizens for believing in me.”
Council member Patrick Guarnella narrowly avoided the run-off for his spot with 404 votes in the three-man race. Richard Sheller had 301 votes and Bobby Compton had 74.
“I think that (the voters) have seen over the last three years that I am willing to speak up for the tax payers and I have a reputation of being honest, having integrity and making myself available post-vote to be able to answer for whatever stance I’ve previously taken,” Guarnella said. “I think they see me as probably more of a conservative voice on the council and one that pushes back against spending.”
Arthur Craft’s council seat had four candidates running, none of which took the majority, resulting in a run-off between the top two.
Dan Leard led the candidates with 378 votes, with Toy Cynthia Wilkins second with 223. Bonnie Clark had 108 votes while Tra Hill had 76.
Leard and Wilkins will be on the ballot for the run-off.
“I want to thank the others for a great race and putting up a great race. I had a great time and it was a learning opportunity,” Leard said. “I could not be more happy than I am now with the amount of people that showed their support and I am very proud and humbled to see that number.”
Wilkins’ favorite part of running was meeting the people of Hartwell and hearing their concerns.
“I met some awesome people knocking on the doors. There’s not too many doors that I didn’t knock on in Hartwell,” Wilkins said.
Wilkins loved the friendliness of the other candidates.
“All of us, when we were together, wherever we were, we were together and we wished each other the best,” Wilkins said. “I would pray that we all in Hartwell can come together like we did running for that position.”
The runoff election between Leard and Wilkins will take place on Nov. 30.