Gawrych joins race; Moseley, too?

Former Mount Pleasant Town Councilman Paul Gawrych says he’s joining the race for Charleston County auditor.

He said Tuesday that embattled incumbent Peggy Moseley’s announcement that she was retiring had nothing to do with his plans.

“The fire in my gut was burning,” he said.

Gawrych earlier had served 12 years on Town Council.

Meanwhile, Moseley may run for a sixth term after all.

Lin Bennett, chairwoman of the Charleston County Republican Party, said Moseley called her Tuesday and said she might run again. Moseley also asked about the hours for filing to run again, Bennett said.

The final times to file for the upcoming election are today and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon, Bennett said.

Moseley did not return calls for comment Tuesday evening.

Gawrych’s announcement brings another Republican in the race and follows Moseley’s weekend announcement she would not seek re-election.

Her annoucement came after The Post and Courier reported she used a county car to file for re-election but had no plans to reimburse the county. Public equipment can’t be used in campaign work under state law, unless the campaign reimburses the taxpayer.

She also faced sharp criticism for a slow implementation of a new county tax computer program that delayed the mailing of tax bills — and for a questionable property tax break she received on her Johns Island home.

Gawrych’s entry sets up a primary challenge with fellow Republican David Engelman.

One Democrat has also filed — Peter Tecklenburg, a former transportation planner. He, too, could face a primary, Democrats say.