Two Republican candidates square off in Tuesday’s primary for Beaufort County auditor
David Cadd and Willie Turral are running on the Republican ballot for Beaufort County auditor.
Embattled incumbent auditor Jim Beckert, who faced many controversies during his tenure, is not running for reelection.
Beckert faced several lawsuits accusing him of harassment and one from his own county government for “failure and refusal” to perform his duties as an elected official.
No Democratic candidate filed for the office.
The two GOP candidates were sent questionnaires and asked to give their work and educational backgrounds, prior political experience and goals for the job.
Here are their answers:
David Cadd
Occupation: Retired
Education: MBA from Park University; Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Human Resource Management
Have you run for office before? No
What do you consider to be the top issue facing your constituents this year? Where do you stand on this issue? Beaufort County taxpayers voted to keep the auditor’s office as an elected position by maintaining the current government form. Some established politicians will do all they can to change the form of government, including endorsing a candidate that has no experience in the office so that they can change the roles and responsibilities of this office from within. The state of South Carolina has trained me on these roles and responsibilities of the auditor’s office. I will not let the community down by allowing any undue influence to change the office’s roles or responsibilities.
If you are elected, how will you be different from the person who held this seat before? If you’re an incumbent, what will change with your next term? First and foremost, I am running for the community. The community deserves better than the current situation. I have a passion for communication, integrity, and high standards for excellence. I believe returning this office to the community by making it about the community and not the elected official in charge will return the office’s trust and respect.
Our communities are marked right now by growth. What is your growth philosophy? What would you like to see change? I have worked in other county offices, including five years as the deputy auditor. The deputy auditor’s position built my understanding of the integral parts of Beaufort County. I have completed compensation surveys and have set the auditor’s office up for the future. I established the auditor’s office 10- and 20-year plans to include growth, job descriptions, job qualifications, and job compensation for the office. I would love to see the plans through for the community and provide future guidance to make this office more vital to the county. My proven cooperation and the ability to build bridges within the county are an advantage.
Willie Turral
Occupation: Realtor, nonprofit director
Education: BA USCB Elem ED; Charleston School of Law-graduating 2023
Have you run for office before? Write-in County Council District 3 candidates in 2018
What do you consider to be the top issue facing your constituents this year? Where do you stand on this issue? Ethical leadership and cooperation in the auditor’s office. I believe politics has become a dirty word based on the actions and conducts of those often representing the people. I think we need more people from the community and have demonstrated their character through their actions. I believe elected officials’ conduct should convey trust and decency. I pray my track record of community involvement speaks for itself.
If you are elected, how will you be different from the person who held this seat before you? If you’re an incumbent, what will change with your next term? I will focus on making changes to the office by working with everyone involved to make the office better. I will continue to humbly serve, while also continually looking for ways to improve the office and its interactions with taxpayers.
Our communities are marked right now by growth. What is your growth philosophy? What would you like to see change? Growth is good and inevitable. It’s important the office is prepared for growth. Growth must be managed responsibly and the best way is to get as many heads to the table as possible to work together to avoid reactive behavior and find and implement proactive solutions.
This story was originally published June 8, 2022 at 4:55 AM.