Newcomer Melinda Tunner defeats 2 to win Hilton Head Ward 6 seat with 54% of vote
Hilton Head Island political newcomer Melinda Tunner beat two challengers tonight to win the Ward 6 seat on the town council receiving 1,993 votes or 54.5%, while the other two candidates received a combined 44.5% in the unofficial tally.
Tunner said late Tuesday evening that she is looking forward to working with fellow town council members and is thankful for everyone who believed in her vision leading up to the election. Finding common ground and continuing to listen to Ward 6 residents will remain a priority, she said.
Ward 6 represents north island communities, including Palmetto Hall, Mitchelville, Fish Haul and Hilton Head Plantation.
Tunner secured her seat just in time to face the issues at the top of mind for Hilton Head residents, from the U.S. 278 Corridor Project to the new paid parking plan for beach parks across the island.
Tunner will bring 30 years of financial experience to the council. She served as a poll manager and clerk for the Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. She advocated for a local precinct in her community, Palmetto Hall, and served as the treasurer and president of the Palmetto Hall Owners Association Board.
Prior to Election Day, she received an endorsement from Glenn Stanford, the Ward 6 representative on the council.
Garniewicz, the president and CEO of the Coastal Discovery Museum, received 32.1% of votes. Cope, the director at the Omni Hotel’s spa on Hilton Head, received 12.1% of votes.
Tunner will join Alex Brown, Ward 1, and Steve DeSimone, Ward 3, two other candidates who secured their seats on the council tonight, along with current members Patsy Brison, Tamara Becker and Steve Alfred.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 11:15 PM.
