Choosing the best candidate in a local election is difficult for most residents. Mayor, Council and County candidates generally do not get the media coverage given to State and Federal candidates. So how do we choose when little information is known?

One way people can judge is by Political Party association. It gives a glimpse into a person’s thinking, such as the common terms conservative, liberal or centrist. But it doesn’t tell the whole story. Why? Because local issues require local thinking. Is the candidate thinking about the best interest of the community? How will the candidate tax you and how will they spend those tax dollars? Does the candidate have a vision for how the community will grow and what the character of the community will be in 20-40-50 years? Is the candidate thinking creatively? What is the best way to adjust to the world of the future; not just continue to think “we always did it that way”.

I am not an old friend of Jay Doyle. We spoke on Zoom for an hour or two and I spoke about Hardeeville, which I am proud to say has the highest growth rate in South Carolina, and number 3 in the country. What impressed me was that Jay called to learn, to seek answers for questions that he had, and most importantly, he impressed me that he was trying to think creatively to make his community a better place and build a prosperous future. One example was his interest in the Economic Alliance that helps bring industrial development to Hardeeville, and how that could help the future of Georgetown. He was thinking differently.

I also judged his character by his association with the Forward Party. I am not a member, but I have spoken with party members at length to learn of their mission. I have also spoken with a Forward Party candidate for Jasper County Council, Ms. Cathy DeCourcy, whom I hold the highest respect for her commitment to her community. These are the kind of people that I can trust. People who seek answers to build for residents and their grandchildren a better future. People who want to work with everyone of every race and ideology for the common good. That’s why I write this in support of Jay Doyle.

Is Jay the best candidate? I’m not qualified to say. That’s for you to investigate. But in my years of business and politics, I believe I have a very good sense for judging people. In my judgement Jay Doyle will be an excellent choice to lead your community into the future.

Harry Williams

Mayor

City of Hardeeville, SC

Georgetown is at a crossroads. Once defined by the hum of its mills and the strength of working families, Georgetown now grapples with the fallout of losing the industries that sustained generations. As the area faces rising economic uncertainty and a political culture still too often shaped by division and control, the need for new leadership—bold, inclusive, and solutions-oriented—has never been clearer.

That’s why the Forward Party of South Carolina is proud that Jay Doyle is running for Mayor of Georgetown on our ballot line.

Jay Doyle is not a career politician. At 67, he brings a lifetime of experience as a problem-solver, a community builder, and a listener. His candidacy is rooted not in party dogma, but in a deep understanding of Georgetown’s past and a clear-eyed vision for its future. Jay represents the kind of politics that puts people before partisanship, and progress before power.

Jay is a stellar representative of the Forward Party values and principles. We question outdated assumptions. We are redefining public service as service, not as self-promotion or resume-building. We are about function over theater. About empowering voters and designing systems that reflect real-world complexity, not party loyalty. We welcome more than two solutions to a problem — which is the baseline for any serious thinker. And voter.

In a city where the scars of “plantation politics” remain visible—where a conservative, wealthy few continue to exert outsized influence over policies and priorities—Jay offers a new path. He understands that leadership must reflect the whole community, not just those who’ve always held the reins. Georgetown is a city almost equally Black and White, and Jay is committed to governing in a way that lifts all voices, all neighborhoods, and all families.

Jay's platform is rooted in revitalization, resilience, and respect. He knows that Georgetown’s comeback story will be fueled by investing in a future that’s sustainable, equitable, and modern. His plans include:

Attracting new industries that pay living wages and align with Georgetown’s strengths and natural resources.

Making Georgetown more affordable for everyone by addressing housing costs, light bills and other structural cost issues.

Investing in downtown redevelopment and small businesses while protecting the historic charm that makes Georgetown unique.

Ensuring transparency and shared decision-making, so that residents don’t just get lip service—they get a seat at the table.

Jay Doyle isn’t running to represent old power structures—he’s running to break them open. He believes Georgetown’s best days lie ahead, but only by coming together across lines of race, income, and background to shape a future that works for everyone.

His experience, empathy, and independence make him the right leader at the right moment. He doesn’t carry the baggage of the past; he carries the tools to build what comes next.

This election isn’t just about who sits in the mayor’s office. It’s about whether Georgetown moves forward together—or stays stuck in the patterns that have left too many behind.

Let’s choose progress over polarization. Let’s choose unity over division. Let’s choose Jay Doyle for Mayor.

Georgetown deserves nothing less.

Clint Eisenhauer, based in Charleston, is State Chair of the South Carolina Forward Party.