Well loved and highly respected local Attorney Johnny Gardner announced his intentions to run for Horry County Council Chairman as a Republican in the June 12th primaries. Gardner owns the private legal practice, Johnny Gardner Law Group.
Gardner is the Principal and Senior Attorney of the Johnny Gardner Law Group. He began his legal career in 1992 as an Assistant Solicitor for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Horry County. Three years later, he entered private practice and founded his own law firm. The practice has offices in Conway and Myrtle Beach. This will be Mr. Gardner’s first run for any political office.
The seat is currently held by Mark Lazarus. Mr. Lazarus has had an on again, off again relationship with some of the residents in Carolina Forest. The issue of beach parking has been a central concern since the city of Myrtle Beach decided to make it very expensive for Carolina Forest residents to park in the Golden Mile section of Myrtle Beach. Horry County Council is now working with the Coastal Alliance to ensure that a long term fix is found. The Coastal Alliance is a group of all mayors and city managers including North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and certain sections of Garden City (located in Horry County).
From our own research earlier today, Mr. Gardner does have high positives and is well regarded by members of the Carolina Forest community.
Mr. Lazarus can expect strong support from the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Strand Business Alliance (The Chamber’s Political Action Committee).