Byrd boots Spaulding,
Jacobs for seat

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

A three-way primary race for the Columbus County Commission District 3 seat ended with long-time incumbent Sammie Jacobs losing his seat to Giles “Buddy” Byrd.

A former county commissioner, Byrd, 59, defeated both R.O. “Reggie” Spaulding, 54, and incumbent Sammie Jacobs with more than 53 percent of the vote. Some 1,345 votes were cast for Byrd.

Jacobs, with 676 votes, earned just 26.85 percent of the vote. Spaulding, with 497 votes, earned just less than 20 percent of the vote.

Byrd, who was at the Board of Elections Tuesday night, said the win was not a surprise but the margin was.

“People are ready for change,” Byrd said. The board wasted time on issues the last couple of years, Byrd insisted. “They were more interested in things that would benefit themselves than the residents of the county.

“I am surprised at how large a win it is,” Byrd explained. “I couldn’t have done it without the support I had. I had a lot of people pulling for me and a lot of people worked hard.”

Jacobs, 59, the first Native American ever elected to the board, said Wednesday that he had no regrets.

“I am proud of the job I have done,” Jacobs said, pointing out he is looking forward to spending more time with his family. “I’ve missed out on quite a few t-ball games, baseball games and fishing trips,” he said.

“It has been a pleasure to serve,” he added. “I’ve got a good life, a fine family, life in a good community and attend a good church,” he said, adding that he intends to get involved in doing things in his community “not on a political level.”

Jacobs said while in office he conducted himself such that “another minority would not be ashamed to come behind me.”

He said he “didn’t take dirty punches” in his campaigning and wishes “Mr. Byrd the best.”

He has served for more than 15 years representing the district that includes portions of Lake Waccamaw, Buckhead and Rieglewood, along with other areas in the eastern portion of the county.