Man who gave 5 reasons why ‘Hilton Head is ruined’ withdraws from mayoral race
The Hilton Head man who wrote a letter to the editor of the Island Packet in which he said “Hilton Head is ruined” withdrew from the island’s mayoral race on Friday, according to a withdrawal letter he filed with the town.
Sandon Preston, a south end resident, said in the letter he is unable to continue his candidacy due to “work related time constraints.”
Preston moved to the Lowcountry around 10 years ago from Nashua, New Hampshire. He said he had not considered running for mayor until a week before the filing deadline when an Island Packet article reported that Michael Santomauro had filed. Although Preston had no experience in town government, he said he wanted to compete against Santomauro, a Holocaust revisionist.
Six mayoral candidates remained in the race as of Friday afternoon:
- Town Council member John McCann.
- Native islander Rochelle Williams.
- Holocaust revisionist Michael Santomauro.
- Real estate broker Barry Ginn.
- Sales Manager at SunTrust Bank Alan Perry
- Town Council member Kim Likins, who currently represents Ward 4.
The mayoral election is Nov. 6.
Council seats for Ward 2, Ward 4 and Ward 5 are also up for grabs.
- Ward 2 is composed of portions of the north end of the island, including parts of Hilton Head Plantation. Bill Harkins is the ward’s current representative and has filed to run again. Tim Ridge has also filed to represent the ward.
- Ward 4 is composed of portions of the mid and south end of the island, including Indigo Run and Palmetto Dunes. Kim Likins currently represents the ward and has filed to run for mayor. Tamara Becker has filed to represent the ward and will run unopposed.
- Ward 5 covers the south end of the island. Thomas Lennox currently represents the area and is running again. Richard Dextraze and Patsy Brison have also filed to represent the ward.
This story was originally published August 15, 2018 at 1:20 PM.