Bustos to join Legislature race

MOUNT PLEASANT — Town Councilman Joe Bustos said Thursday that he will run for the state House of Representatives in November.

Bustos, a two-term council member, will campaign for the seat now held by state Rep. Ben Hagood, R-Sullivan's Island. Hagood said Feb. 4 that he won't seek a fourth term.

"I was looking at a number of things related to what I wanted to do. I felt that the next person who goes to Columbia should be from Mount Pleasant," Bustos said.

He noted that he has been instrumental in the town's $6 million acquisition of more than 40 acres on Shem Creek and plans for Johnnie Dodds Boulevard redevelopment.

Bustos, Mayor Harry Hallman and three other council members were all elected in 2000 on a platform of strictly controlling growth through efforts such as the town building permit allocation program. A retired Army lieutenant colonel and local businessman, Bustos heads the Bids and Purchases Committee and sits on the Annexation, Economic Development and Personnel committees.

Hagood was first elected in 2002 to the District 112 seat, which covers much of Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's Island and the Isle of Palms.

The filing period for state House and Senate seats is March 17-31. Former Charleston County School Board member and attorney Larry Kobrovsky is among those who might also run for Hagood's seat.

Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@postand courier.com.