Published: Friday, Feb. 05, 2010 / Updated: Friday, Feb. 05, 2010 05:14 PM
Race for York County Council Dist. 1 seat heats up; GOP primary crowded, but no Dems have declared
FORT MILL --
Financial advisor David Bowman Friday became the second person to announce his candidacy for the York County Council seat held by Paul Lindemann.
More than 50 people gathered at Six Pence Pub in Fort Mill’s Baxter Village Friday morning as Bowman, a former electrical contractor, announced his Republican candidacy for the District 1 seat.
Primary elections are June 8, followed by the general election Nov. 2.
The two-week filing period begins March 16, but candidates have already been lining up. Private school headmaster Kyle Boyd of Fort Mill announced last October that he would run as a Republican, and he confirmed that position Friday.
Lindemann, also a Republican, said Friday he is undecided on whether he will seek reelection.
“I haven’t made up my mind yet,” he said. “I love York County and I love Distrist 1, but filing isn’t until March. I’ve got some time.”
Several local Republican leaders attended the Bowman rally Friday, including York County GOP chairman Glenn McCall. McCall said he would not be surprised to see multiple party candidates for some seats, particularly for District 1.
“There’s been a lot of interest in the person serving,” he said, referring to Lindemann. “It’ll be interesting.”
McCall called for Lindemann to resign from the seat in July 2008 after Lindemann was charged with drunk driving following a traffic stop in downtown Columbia. The request carried no official weight, and Lindemann went on to beat Democratic challenger Marion Davenport four months later in the County Council election.
Lindemann also faces lawsuits concerning his business dealings. Two lawsuits have been filed against him by former investors in a Tega Cay property owned by Lindemann. Investors claimed in the suits they had not gotten their money back.
In announcing his candidacy, Bowman focused on his experience, both as a small business owner and financial advisor. He said integrity, respect and “a good dose of humility” are traits he would bring to the job.
“These are important traits needed on our county council at this time, especially from our district,” Bowman said. “I possess these traits.”
Bowman also focused on working to bring new jobs to the area.
“I expect – demand, even – that this district deliver a leader to council, and that’s what I plan to be.”
Family friend and campaign manager Lisa Crutchfield said Bowman can be the team player his district needs.
“David has the big picture,” she said. “David understands that there needs to be a working relationship between county government, town government and our schools in order to provide our county with what it needs in the future.”
Former Distrist 1 representative and current Bowman supporter Jeff Updike said his work with the candidate on local boards shows that Bowman can “restore the integrity” to the District 1 seat held by Lindemann. Lindemann ousted Updike from the post for the first of his two terms.
“The key is to get a responsible and respectable elected official back in County Council District 1,” Updike said. “Someone who will uphold the laws and uphold the oath that he takes. That’s what we need. We’re the laughing stock of the county right now.”
Lindemann disagreed, saying ongoing council projects like an overlay district and Exit 90 corridor will help “bring a lot of relevancy to District 1.” He added that almost two dozen candidates filed for the most recent council elections, and only one challenger unseated an incumbent.
“We’ve got probably the most sound, most consistent council maybe that York County’s ever had,” Lindemann said. “I don’t think the incumbents are too worried.”
Lindemann said he encourages anyone willing to run, but that he would wait to make a decision.
“I think you see a lot of people who go out and make a big deal of filing early, more because they have some kind of personal vendetta against the county and they think by announcing early they’ll make some noise and get started right off. A lot of times with no understanding, let alone no knowledge, of the issues,” Lindemann said.
With Bowman and Boyd committed and Lindemann a possibility on the Republican side, the winner of that primary likely will not have a walk-over in the general election. Jim Watkins, York County Democratic Party chairman, said Friday his party also could field multiple primary candidates.
“That’s my hunch,” Watkins said. “I’ve heard several folks, but until they make their intentions known I’m not at liberty to say who they are. Some folks have expressed interest in a number of the county council seats, including District 1.”
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