In order to serve a 7th term on the Myrtle Beach City Council, longtime councilman Mike Chestnut is putting his name in the hat once again.
Chestnut said each Myrtle Beach City Council member represents the city as a whole, unlike Horry County Council members who represent districts.
We don’t have districts, so we’re at large. “If somebody else runs, they’re not running against me per se, they’re running for one of these seats,” said Chestnut.
Over the past two decades, Chestnut has served on the Myrtle Beach City Council. He was first championed and ushered into office with the support of now deceased hotel magnate, David Brittain of Brittain Resort Hotels.
Chestnut and Mayor Bethune can tout great successes in pro transgender diversity.
MYRTLE BEACH HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL ON TRANSGENDER RIGHTS AND WOKE DIVERSITY
Upon being asked if he was ready to pass the torch or mentor the next potential leaders, he said he would look into it.
Says Mike Chestunt, Young people ask me all the time, “Hey Mike, can we shadow you? Can we walk with you?” according to Chestnut. “I encourage people to do that all the time, in fact, I encourage them to attend council meetings.“
Mike Chestnut is currently the only African American on the Myrtle Beach City Council.
Among his proudest accomplishments over the years have been renovations to the historic Charlie’s Place, the completion of Futrell Park development, and the beginning stages of the $200 million tax funded Arts and Innovation District.
For the past 11 years, he has also owned Big Mike’s Soul Food.
Despite the city’s progress in the last 23 years, Chestnut says safety remains a top priority for residents and business owners. It is true, that under his leadership, crime has consistently been a major concern.
The terms of Councilman Chestnut, Councilman John Krajc, and Councilman Phillip Render expire in January 2024.
Sources tell us that Render has fallen out of favor with the Mayor. It appears he will retire, with the Mayor planning to replace Render with a Coastal Carolina University professor.
The three open council seats will be voted on Tuesday, November 7.