Pee Dee Mayoral Hopeful Withdraws from Race Due to Criminal Past

Pee Dee Mayoral Hopeful Withdraws from Race Due to Criminal Past

In a shocking turn of events, a hopeful candidate for the mayoral office in Pee Dee has drawn his name out of the running due to an unforeseen issue with eligibility criteria. With past criminal convictions making him ineligible to run for public office, Willie C. Williams has exited the race before it has even begun.

Background to the Disqualification

Williams’s step-down from the race came about after a misunderstanding regarding the fine print on his candidacy filing paperwork, which he misread. The stipulation barring him from running for the mayoral office relates directly to his convictions for attempted murder. In South Carolina, individuals are prohibited from running for public office for 15 years after they complete their sentences, probation, and parole times. Williams was released in 2013, after serving a term of 17 years in prison.

Unwavering Ambitions

Despite this unexpected setback, Williams remains determined to bring about change in his town of Mullins. Promising ruthless efforts to curb crime and uplift the youth, he is optimistic about his future in public service. Williams stated that he wouldn’t let this hiccup to deter him from his goal and is intent to re-run for office when he becomes eligible in 2028.

Investigation and Confirmation

An anonymous tip received by the local newsroom triggered an investigation into Williams’s eligibility and past criminal records, prompting the Marion County Elections Office to dig into the matter. However, the Marion County Elections Commission was unable to locate any substantive proof of Williams’s conviction, in spite of being alerted to the issue. Therefore, Williams could only be removed from the ballot if he voluntarily withdrew himself, which he officially did.

Election Commission’s Comment

The South Carolina Election Commission declared that it was primarily the county’s responsibility to confirm a candidate’s eligibility. However, as their spokesperson John Michael Catalano explained, in most cases, it’s based on ‘scouts’ honor.’ The candidates’ word is taken at face value unless there is reason to believe that they are not being honest.

Seeking Improvements in the Process

The Election Commission also acknowledged that while there are ways for local election offices to look up previous convictions, the process could be strenuous, especially for older sentences. And though there are no mandatory background checks for candidates currently in effect, Catalano assured that they are willing to review and improve the process wherever necessary.