Cogswell claimed 51% of the vote to Tecklenburg's 49%.
Cogswell earned endorsements from others within South Carolina's GOP political circles, including Sen Tim Scott and Drew McKissick, the chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party.
Cogswell emphasized his experience in real estate and preservation, arguing that he would prioritize development that maintains Charleston's historic character.
He also addressed the city's rising cost of living and the need for more help from regional, state, and federal governments to manage an influx of residents and tourists.
William Cogswell, a former state representative and real estate developer, won a tight runoff election against incumbent Democrat Mayor John Tecklenburg.
Charleston, South Carolina, has elected its first Republican mayor since the Reconstruction Era. William Cogswell, a former state representative and real estate developer, won a tight runoff election against incumbent Democrat Mayor John Tecklenburg. The unofficial results show Cogswell claimed 51% of the vote to Tecklenburg's 49%. This election signifies a shift for Charleston, a city that has consistently elected Democratic mayors.
Cogswell, who identifies as a moderate, earned endorsements from others within South Carolina's GOP political circles, including Sen Tim Scott and Drew McKissick, the chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party. McKissick issued a statement on Cogswell's victory, stating that this win is representative of the shifting momentum they're seeing across the state.
Cogswell emphasized his experience in real estate and preservation, arguing that he would prioritize development that maintains Charleston's historic character. He also addressed the city's rising cost of living and the need for more help from regional, state, and federal governments to manage an influx of residents and tourists. The city's last Republican mayor was George Cunningham, who served from 1873 until 1877.
Cogswell emphasized his experience in real estate and preservation, arguing that he would prioritize development that maintains Charleston's historic character.
He also addressed the city's rising cost of living and the need for more help from regional, state, and federal governments to manage an influx of residents and tourists.
Drew McKissick, the chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, issued a statement on Cogswell's victory, stating that this win is representative of the shifting momentum they're seeing across the state.