The Aiken Republican Club will host a luncheon at Newberry Hall on Tuesday August 15, 2017 beginning with a social hour and meet and greet at 10:30 am. Lunch will be served at noon followed by a moderated forum for all 3 candidates for the County Council Chairman special election to be held August 22. Lunch is $17 for members and $22 for non-members, payable by cash or check at the door. Registration is required in advance and will open on July 25.
Three Republicans will be seeking to fill the seat formerly held by S.C. Rep. Ronnie Young, R-North Augusta: Andrew Siders, Gary Bunker and Chuck Smith.
An Aiken resident who represents District 7, Siders is performing the duties of chairman for the County Council in the wake Young’s departure. He was elected to the position of vice chairman earlier this year.
Smith, who lives in North Augusta, is the County Councilman from District 4.
Bunker served on County Council for two terms from 2005 through 2012. His colleagues selected him to be the Council’s vice chairman three times, and he was the chairman of the Administrative Committee for four years.
If nobody receives the majority of the vote on August 22, a runoff between the top two finishers will be held Sept. 5. The general special election is scheduled for Oct. 24.
