Berkeley County School Board candidate questions claims of support

The incumbent for Berkeley County School Board’s District 1 seat on Saturday questioned his challenger’s claims of support from U.S. Rep. Tim Scott and Hanahan Mayor Minnie Blackwell. Both of those politicians said they’ve endorsed no one in the race.

Late last week, challenger C. Kevin Cox’s campaign sent out postcards quoting Scott as saying “Kevin is the right man for the job.” They also quote Blackwell saying, “Kevin won’t look for every dime, he’ll look for every penny.”

“Basically what he said is not true,” said Kent Murray, who is seeking re-election. “I am disappointed that he fabricated the support.”

Cox, a current member of Hanahan City Council, said Saturday he didn’t know there was a problem with the postcards. He said that Scott made the comment at the Berkeley County Republican Breakfast in October.

“I spoke first and he came right after me and everybody was clapping,” Cox said Saturday. That was when Scott made the comment, Cox said.

Blackwell’s comment was made after a Hanahan City Council meeting, he said.

On Saturday, Scott’s campaign said he has not endorsed either candidate.

A statement on Scott’s website quotes campaign manager Joe McKeown saying, “We have called Mr. Cox and asked him to stop circulating the mailer … .”

On his Facebook page, Scott wrote, “I have not endorsed any candidates for Berkeley County School Board. Do not believe mailers to the contrary. I felt the need to set the record straight.”

Murray said he also posted Blackwell’s phone number on his own Facebook page at her request so that voters could ask her directly.

Murray said he plans to contact the Ethics Commission Monday to see if he has grounds to file a complaint against Cox.

Reach Brenda Rindge at 937-5713.

or www.facebook.com/brindge.