Berkeley GOP elects new leaders

It was a highly unusual political convention in Berkeley County last weekend.

Republicans elected new leaders under the oversight of state party officials. GOP leaders from Horry County ran the convention.

The intervention was prompted by allegations that the old party leaders were stacking delegates, holding secret meetings and disregarding rules to stay in power.

Nancy Corbin of Ridgeville, a former member of the party's executive committee who appealed for the intervention, heralded the convention as a new day for the party.

"It was a turning point," Corbin said. "The party was either going to progress or die. ... All we were asking for was open and honest process, and we finally got it."

State GOP Executive Director Jay W. Ragley dowplayed the involvement of outside parties.

"This is about Republicans helping Republicans," he said. "There's nothing out of the ordinary about that."

County Councilman Tim Callanan of Daniel Island, who ran on a platform of reform, was overwhelmingly elected as new chairman.

Former Chairman Wade Arnette, who did not seek re-election, said he agreed to let Horry County leaders run the convention not because there was any merit to the allegations but because he was tired of the fighting. He said he will support the new leadership as long as they continue to guide the party in the right direction.

Read more here later and in Wednesday's editions of The Post and Courier.