---
title: "Republicans Take All Five Contested Beaufort County Council Races"
url: https://www.herebeaufort.com/2026/11/04/republicans-sweep-beaufort-county-council-races/
date: 2026-11-04T06:24:53-05:00
modified: 2026-11-04T06:24:53-05:00
author: "Israel Meza Jr."
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Beaufort"
attribution: "HERE Beaufort"
---

# Republicans Take All Five Contested Beaufort County Council Races

> BEAUFORT, S.C. — Republican candidates won every one of the five contested Beaufort County Council races on Tuesday, according to unofficial returns, keeping two incumbents in place and bringing several new faces to the dais. Eight council seats were on the ballot this year. In District 6, Vice Chair Tab Tabernik earned a second term,

*Source: [HERE Beaufort](https://www.herebeaufort.com/2026/11/04/republicans-sweep-beaufort-county-council-races/) — November 4, 2026 by Israel Meza Jr.*

BEAUFORT, S.C. — Republican candidates won every one of the five contested Beaufort County Council races on Tuesday, according to unofficial returns, keeping two incumbents in place and bringing several new faces to the dais.

Eight council seats were on the ballot this year. In District 6, Vice Chair Tab Tabernik earned a second term, taking 5,599 votes to 3,718 for Democrat Carolyn Fournier. In District 9, Bluffton resident Mark Lawson won a third term with 3,593 votes against 3,016 for Democrat Jannine Mutterer.

Kraig Gordon, a retired Army Corps of Engineers lieutenant colonel who chairs the county transportation committee, won District 8 with 5,452 votes over Democrat Trey Judy at 3,620. Hilton Head Island attorney John Casey claimed District 10 by 934 votes over Democrat Travis-Ludwig Hodges.

In District 5, Okatie homeowners association president Joshua Hower led 4,405 to 3,244 with about 79% of precincts counted.

The same ballot carried a sheriff race, seven school board contests and a pair of referendum questions on a one-cent sales tax for roads and transit that could bring in as much as $780 million across nine years. New members take their seats in January.