Government

Daniel Island lawyer to lead divided Berkeley Co. GOP

by Nikki Gaskins Campbell

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.—Five days after Berkeley Co. GOP Chairman Terry Hardesty stepped down from the position, party members elected a new leader Thursday night. Daniel Island lawyer, Josh Whitley, 31, will now serve as the Republican chairman for the county. It was Berkeley Co. Councilman Tim Callanan who first nominated Whitley for the position.

Pictured: Josh Whitney with his wife and young daughter (Provided)
Pictured: Josh Whitley with his wife and young daughter (Provided)

“This is a great opportunity after the election on Tuesday for the party to move together unified, and Josh is the right person for the job at the right time,” Callanan stated.

Callanan’s nomination was seconded by newly elected councilman Tommy Newell who won nearly 60 percent of the vote during the June 10th primary for the District 4 seat.

“I believe Josh becoming chairman is exactly what the Berkeley County Republican Party needs. The party took a beating this election cycle. It’s time to move on for Berkeley County, and Josh is the man for the job.” said Newell. “Berkeley County voted for change, and now it’s time to get to work. With Josh at the helm, he will keep the party focused, educated and prepared for what lies ahead!”

In recent weeks, the party’s Facebook page seemed to demonstrate a clear divide between members which included character attacks and criticism of party candidates.

“Let’s dump the RINOs (Republican In Name Only),” read one comment on the page.

For Hardesty, it appeared he had had enough.

“I can no longer sit by and watch this party, and this page be hijacked by so called Republicans who have done virtually nothing to build this party,” Hardesty wrote on the party’s Facebook page while also announcing his resignation.

With Whitley now at the helm, he says he hopes to move the party forward and believes the party is, in fact, united despite what the group’s Facebook page might seem to indicate.

“The divide is really not in the party itself but rather outside the party hoping to divide us,” explained Whitley. “The fact that Tim Callanan nominated me and Tommy Newell seconded my nomination, and then it was a unanimous vote shows we are clearly united and bridges are already constructed and crossed.”

Whitley is a 2001 graduate of Berkeley High School, having grown up in the Pinopolis-Moncks Corner area. He now calls Daniel Island home with his wife and baby daughter.

He says one divide he does hope to mend is the county’s strained relationship with Daniel Island.   Many residents have complained they’ve felt neglected by the county for years, even attempting to secede and join Charleston County.

“I think along with Tim Callanan, we are going to continue to bridge the Daniel Island – Berkeley divide, and we now have a willing partner in Bill Peagler,” Whitley stated.

Whitley has already had a strong impact in the community–not just as a local attorney.  In 2012, he was a major opponent of the Berkeley Co. School Districts’ ‘Yes 4 Schools’ campaign.  Last year, he presented his concerns about the campaign to SC Attorney General Alan Wilson–which resulted in an ongoing SLED investigation and the indictment of Amy Kovach, the district’s communications director.

Prior Stories:

BCSD unanimously votes to continue paying legal fees for indicted communications director

Daniel Island residents vote to end annexation from Berkeley Co.

Bill Peagler defeats Dan Davis, elected as new county supervisor

 

 

 
Nikki Gaskins Campbell
Follow Me
Latest posts by Nikki Gaskins Campbell (see all)

Comments are closed.