Longtime public information officer Mark Kruea is entering the Myrtle Beach mayor’s race.  

“Soon after retiring last April, people began encouraging me to run for mayor in 2025,” Mark Kruea said.  “This opportunity came to me; I did not go looking for it.  They say it’s time for a change on City Council, and that my background and experience in city government are a good fit.  I am honored to be able to do this.”  The nonpartisan election is Tuesday, November 4, 2025. 

Mark Kruea’s Vision for Myrtle Beach

Mark Kruea brings 26 years of responsive communication, consensus building, and public transparency to the role.  He is well known as the city’s spokesperson, with a broad knowledge of city operations and services.  And he’s a resident of the Market Common district, which represents a quarter of the city’s population.  Now, after much reflection in response to the many requests, he’s offering to be the mayor who listens, who starts conversations and who puts residents first. 

“Truly, the amount and variety of support from all corners of the city has been astounding,” Kruea said.  “I hear the concerns from citizens and businesses about the city’s future.  I am not a politician, but it’s clear that we need to listen to our people and put their interests first.  I’m doing this for all of the people who aren’t happy with the current trajectory of the city.  We have such great promise, but only if we work together to realize the future.”

As mayor, Mark Kruea’s priorities include more conversations by City Council.  Transparency is more than just a word; Council needs to “show the work.”  Here are a few talking points.

·       Residents come first.  Protect neighborhoods from commercial encroachment.  The city should be quick to respond to concerns about speeding and safety.  Hear the residents when they speak the first time, and stop having the same conversations over and over. 

·       Hire more police officers.  Too many vacancies still exist.  More officers will provide better service to the public and relief for current staff.

·       Revisit the Tourism Development Fee.  This requires a conversation with lawmakers in Columbia to change the legislation.  The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce can’t spend $40 million a year on advertising.  Keep the residential property tax credit and use more of the TDF for local needs, including tourism-related capital projects.

·       Downtown redevelopment is good, but not at the expense of the rest of the city.  Myrtle Beach has invested more than $100 million in the Arts & Innovation District.  That includes $30 million for a 300-seat theater which is too small to be called a performing arts center.  Where are the private-sector partners for this redevelopment?  How much more will the city invest, and at what cost to other projects city-wide?  (A theater has been on the city’s wish list since 1999, but not at $100,000 per seat.) 

·       Annually review and revisit the funding and mission of the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance.  Are those 10 mills of property tax from the Municipal Improvement District being well-spent?  Have we created a bureaucracy?  Is the visitor experience east of Kings Highway and on the beach the best that it can be?   

·       City Council should conduct an annual performance review of the city manager.  He’s the CEO of the city’s $360 million corporation. 

·       Hold the annual budget retreat in town.  Wampee is a great venue, but it’s two hours away from Myrtle Beach.  That tells the public, “We don’t care about your input.” 

·       Get smart about spending.  The city is blessed with a diverse income stream and healthy fund balances.  Let’s be sure the funds are well-spent and designed to serve the needs of our residents, businesses and visitors.  Council needs input earlier in the budget process.

·       Build a new Chapin Memorial Library (or expand the current one) into Chapin Park.  The library is a great resource for our community.  The current location is ideal; the library does not need to move to the Arts & Innovation District, which will take many years. 

·       Pay attention to the details!  Maintain the infrastructure that we have so that lines aren’t faded and sidewalks aren’t overgrown.  Enforce tree protection requirements, especially in new developments.  Listen to residents’ recreational requests.

·       Revisit the idea of year-round paid parking.  It may be that charging for parking during the off-season (October through February) is a disincentive for people to go downtown. 

These are just a few starting points for the conversations that City Council needs to have.  The mayor can and should lead these discussions.  “Running for mayor isn’t a ‘me’ thing,” Mark Kruea said.  “This wasn’t on my radar, but I’ve been genuinely surprised by how many people want something different.  It’s time for a change, and they are looking to me to make it happen.” 

Kruea’s family vacationed along the Grand Strand during his youth, so he is aware of the growth that has occurred.  Mark Kruea is a 1980 graduate of Wake Forest University with a B.A. in English.  Career-wise, Mark worked in radio and television news before transitioning to media and public relations, culminating with two and a half decades as Myrtle Beach’s spokesperson.  

During his time with the city, Mark Kruea originated the idea for R.A.I.N., Remembering Animals in Need, to support the Grand Strand Humane Society.  He also served 12 years on the Horry County United Way Board and currently serves on the Market Common YMCA Advisory Board.

In all, Mark Kruea brings 42 years of experience in communications and public service to the task of steering, engaging and representing Myrtle Beach as its next mayor.  The campaign process is an extended interview.  “During the months leading up to the election, you’ll have a chance to ask questions, express concerns and generally get to know me,” Kruea said.  “I’m interviewing for the job.  On election day, I hope you’ll hire me as your mayor for the next four years.”