North Myrtle Beach, SC, February 12, 2026
Residents of North Myrtle Beach recently attended a candidate forum for the vacant Crescent Beach Ward council seat. Ray Collins and Melissa Wober outlined their platforms, emphasizing important issues such as road improvements, governmental transparency, and support for law enforcement. The special election set for February will determine who fills the unexpired term following the previous council member’s election as mayor. The community’s engagement in this forum highlights the significance of local governance and the importance of civic participation.
North Myrtle Beach
Special Election Candidates Outline Visions for Crescent Beach Ward
North Myrtle Beach, SC – Residents of North Myrtle Beach gathered on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Tidewater Amenity Center for a candidate forum, where Ray Collins and Melissa Wober presented their platforms for the vacant Crescent Beach Ward council seat. This pivotal event provided the community with an opportunity to engage directly with the two individuals seeking to fill an unexpired term on the City Council, with the special election scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The Forum: A Dialogue for the Community
From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the main room of the Tidewater Amenity Center hosted a thoughtful exchange, underscoring the vital role of local representation. The forum allowed residents to pose questions directly to Mr. Collins and Ms. Wober, fostering a clear understanding of their priorities and approaches to city governance. Such direct engagement is the bedrock of a participatory democracy, where the voices of the citizenry are heard and acknowledged. The discussions touched upon various pertinent issues that shape daily life and future trajectories within North Myrtle Beach.
Candidates’ Key Priorities
During the forum, both candidates articulated clear visions for the Crescent Beach Ward and the city at large. Ray Collins emphasized improving local roads to alleviate traffic congestion and mitigate flooding, advocating for increased government transparency and accountability. His platform also focused on encouraging smart growth, bolstering support for law enforcement and first responders, and serving as a dedicated voice for the residents.
Melissa Wober outlined priorities centered on promoting fiscal responsibility and enhancing governmental transparency and accountability. She expressed a commitment to managing growth thoughtfully, reducing stormwater flooding, and further improving local road infrastructure. Additionally, Ms. Wober underscored the importance of strong support for law enforcement and first responders within the community.
The Special Election for Crescent Beach Ward
The special election on February 24, 2026, will determine who serves the unexpired term for the Crescent Beach Ward, which runs from March 2026 to November 2027. This council seat became vacant following the November 2025 election when J. Baldwin, who previously held the Crescent Beach Ward seat, was elected Mayor of North Myrtle Beach. The election is nonpartisan, meaning no party affiliation will be displayed on the ballot.
Early voting for this special election commenced on Monday, February 9, 2026, and will conclude on Friday, February 20, 2026, with the Horry County Voter Registration Office in Conway serving as the designated early voting location. Polling locations across the city will be open from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM on Election Day. The Municipal Election Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at North Myrtle Beach City Hall to certify the election results. Should a runoff be necessary, it would be held two weeks later, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
The Broader Landscape of North Myrtle Beach Governance
This special election is part of a dynamic period for North Myrtle Beach’s leadership. The November 2025 municipal election ushered in new mayoral leadership with the election of J. Baldwin, marking a significant transition for the city after more than two decades. Alongside the mayoral change, other council members were also elected, highlighting the continuous renewal inherent in local democratic processes. The City Council, composed of the Mayor and six council members, is tasked with fundamental responsibilities, including budget allocation, tax levies, and enacting policies to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of its residents.
National and State-level Developments
In broader civic and professional spheres, other notable events have occurred recently. Nationally, registration for the NIGP Forum 2026, an important gathering for public procurement professionals, officially commenced on February 11, 2026. This forum, to be hosted in Columbus, focuses on “A New Era” in governmental purchasing practices. On a State-level within South Carolina, a recorded Judicial CLE session on “The Administrative Law Court: Overview and Judicial Considerations” from March 29, 2021, continues to serve as a resource for legal professionals, reflecting an ongoing commitment to legal education.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the candidate forum for the open council seat in North Myrtle Beach held?
- The candidate forum for the open council seat in North Myrtle Beach was held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Who are the candidates vying for the vacant Crescent Beach Ward council seat in North Myrtle Beach?
- The candidates vying for the vacant Crescent Beach Ward council seat in North Myrtle Beach are Ray Collins and Melissa Wober.
- When is the special election for the Crescent Beach Ward council seat in North Myrtle Beach?
- The special election for the Crescent Beach Ward council seat in North Myrtle Beach is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
- What are Ray Collins’ key priorities for North Myrtle Beach?
- Ray Collins’ key priorities include improving local roads to alleviate traffic congestion and mitigate flooding, advocating for increased government transparency and accountability, encouraging smart growth, bolstering support for law enforcement and first responders, and serving as a dedicated voice for the residents.
- What are Melissa Wober’s key priorities for North Myrtle Beach?
- Melissa Wober’s key priorities are centered on promoting fiscal responsibility and enhancing governmental transparency and accountability, managing growth thoughtfully, reducing stormwater flooding, further improving local road infrastructure, and underscoring the importance of strong support for law enforcement and first responders.
- When did early voting for the special election begin and end?
- Early voting for this special election commenced on Monday, February 9, 2026, and will conclude on Friday, February 20, 2026.
- When will the special election results be certified?
- The Municipal Election Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at North Myrtle Beach City Hall to certify the election results.
- When did registration for the NIGP Forum 2026 officially commence?
- Nationally, registration for the NIGP Forum 2026 officially commenced on February 11, 2026.
Key Information Overview
| Event | Date | Location/Scope | Key Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Myrtle Beach Crescent Beach Ward Candidate Forum | February 10, 2026 | Tidewater Amenity Center, North Myrtle Beach, SC | Ray Collins and Melissa Wober presented platforms for open council seat | Local |
| North Myrtle Beach Crescent Beach Ward Special Election | February 24, 2026 | North Myrtle Beach, SC | To fill unexpired term (March 2026 – November 2027) for council seat | Local |
| Early Voting for Special Election | February 9, 2026 – February 20, 2026 | Horry County Voter Registration Office, Conway, SC | Period for residents to cast early ballots | Local |
| Special Election Certification | February 26, 2026 | North Myrtle Beach City Hall, SC | Municipal Election Commission to certify results | Local |
| Potential Runoff Election | March 10, 2026 | North Myrtle Beach, SC | If no candidate secures majority in special election | Local |
| NIGP Forum 2026 Registration Open | February 11, 2026 | Columbus (Event location) | Public procurement professionals forum “A New Era” | Nationwide |
| SC Judicial CLE Recorded | March 29, 2021 | South Carolina | Administrative Law Court overview and judicial considerations | State-level |
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Special Election Announced for North Myrtle Beach Council Seat
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
