Incumbent Bluffton town council member blames defeat on low turnout

Bluffton Town Council member Charlie Wetmore said Wednesday he has accepted defeat in his bid for re-election in Tuesday's three-way council race.

"Unless a ton of absentee ballots come in, I don't see there being a difference in the results," said Wetmore.

Mike Raymond, former engineer with the town's Department of Environmental Protection, captured more than 35 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results from the county Board of Voter Registration and Elections.

Incumbent Oliver Brown earned 33 percent of the vote and held a 29-vote lead over Wetmore.

"I wish them all the best of luck," Wetmore said.

Wetmore, who was elected in 2006, attributed the loss to low voter turnout.

"Ninety percent of the registered voters didn't vote," he said. "They made their decision by not showing up."

Absentee and provisional ballots will be counted at the canvass hearing at 10 a.m. today at the elections office at 15 John Galt Road in Beaufort, where the results will be made official. The winners' terms begin Jan. 1.