Berkeley County Council member Josh Whitley has announced he will not seek another term, citing his belief that many elected officials stay in office too long.
“After serious consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election to Berkeley County Council,” Whitley said. “There are several factors that I carefully reviewed before making this decision. First, I think too many people stay in elected office for too long. I have served for nearly a decade. By not running again, it will allow someone else to energetically bring ideas to the service of our district.”
Whitley has represented Berkeley County’s District 2, which includes the Daniel Island, Hanahan, Clements Ferry Road and Goose Creek areas, on the county council since 2015 and has led the council’s economic development and finance committees since 2017.
“First off, I want to thank the citizens of Berkeley County for entrusting me with their trust and giving me their confidence to always strive to do the right thing,” Whitley said. I love Berkeley County and am proud to call it home. My commitment to Berkeley County and public service remains steadfast. I will continue to be engaged with improving our county and finding the balance of job creation with population growth while preserving our quality of life.”
Whitley has also served on the Executive Committee of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, is a practicing attorney on Daniel Island and is a former Berkeley County Republican Party chair.
“As a result of not seeking re-election, like you, I will carefully look at those who come forward to run for this county council seat,” Whitley said. “I will be looking for someone who will restrict these massive neighborhoods from developing until Berkeley County has time to develop road infrastructure and will continue to fight developers who make closed-door deals and refuse to allow the public a voice in their development agreements. The public deserves a seat at the table of the most consequential aspect of county council governance: smart-managed growth focusing on infrastructure.”
Whitley recalled several milestones during his time in county government, such as playing a significant part in negotiating the largest economic development project in the state’s history and, along with Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb, securing funding for more than $100 million in road improvements as part of the project.
Whitley also mentioned his efforts to ensure Berkeley County has the lowest tax millage in South Carolina and his work with colleagues on more than $400 million of infrastructure improvements during his time on Council, including the long-stalled widening of Clements Ferry Road. He said he is proud of the county’s fiscal health, having overseen a 400% increase in the fund balance during his term as finance chair while lowering the county’s tax millage.
“I have always been humbled by the support I have received from my colleagues on council and other elected officials,” he said. “But I am most honored by your votes of confidence over three elections.”
Cribb said it has been an “honor and a privilege” to serve with Whitley.
“Josh governs with a passion and mission to provide ‘good government’ for the people of Berkeley County,” Cribb said. “Though he represented District 2, his efforts extended far beyond, and his positive impact and contributions are spread across every corner of our county.”
Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said there is “no greater advocate for Berkeley County” than Whitley, and Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis noted Whitley’s leadership on the council “has impacted public safety and our quality of life in ways that cannot be quantified.”
Berkeley County Council member Tommy Newell has been a partner “to fight for Berkeley County.” Council member Phillip Obie II believes Whitley will “stay engaged with us on important economic development and development issues as we go forward.”
