Filing period kicks off for city races

The official two-week filing period for Charleston's municipal election began Wednesday, opening the door for the full slate of candidates for the mayor's office, half the city's council seats, and a Charleston Water System board seat.

In a few cases, races began well before the filing period for the November election.

The contest for mayor began months ago when William Dudley Gregorie, who recently retired as director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Columbia office, announced he would challenge eight-term Mayor Joe Riley's re-election bid.

There's also a contest under way for City Council District 1, representing Daniel Island and areas generally south of Broad Street, where Councilman Henry Fishburne is not seeking re-election.

While more could join the race, two men have been running for Fishburne's seat since January.

They are Ernest B. Long, who sells real estate and is president of the Charlestowne Neighborhood Association, and Gary White Jr., a banker living on Daniel Island.

The only candidate who filed election papers Wednesday who had not publicly announced her candidacy previously is Erika Harrison, an attorney and recently appointed member of the city's Board of Architectural Review, who will challenge Councilman James Lewis' plans for another term in District 3 on the peninsula.

Lewis has said he will run for re-election, but like other incumbent City Council members, he did not file his paperwork Wednesday.

In City Council District 9, Councilman Paul Tinkler is not seeking re-election. Aubry G. Alexander II, a West Ashley civic leader and real estate broker, announced his candidacy in May and has now filed his official paperwork.

Council members Jimmy Gallant (District 5), Louis Waring (District 7), and Anne Frances Bleecker (District 11), have not announced their plans.

Charleston Water System commissioner William E. Koopman Jr., who was appointed, is seeking election to a full term.

Candidates can file statements of candidacy, pay filing fees and prove that they are registered voters living in the district where they plan to run through Aug. 15 at the McNair Law Firm, 100 Calhoun St., Suite 400. Filing fees are $150 for City Council or Charleston Water System commissioner, and $1,000 for mayor.

Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com.