Two Candidates Vying in Chensee Special Election Scheduled for Aug. 20

In the small city of Chesnee, South Carolina, two candidates, Monica Skipper and Rosemary Nichols, are taking to the political race with optimism, despite the challenges faced by the community. Chesnee, with a population of approximately 800 residents, is facing a special election slated for August 20 to fill a one-year unexpired term for a city council seat left vacant by the departure of Doug Pye earlier this year. The city, located in northeast Spartanburg County, has seen a declining population due to the scarcity of job opportunities, despite some improvements in the downtown area. The central challenge for both candidates is to draw more businesses into the city and boost the local economy.

Rosemary Nichols’ Plans for Chesnee

Rosemary Nichols, a Chesnee native and retired educator who taught fifth grade in Spartanburg County School District 2 for over 30 years, is one of the two contenders in the upcoming special election. Nichols, who owns several rental properties in the town, is also a University of South Carolina Upstate graduate and is active in her local church. If she wins the election, she hopes to tap into grants that can attract new businesses to the downtown area.

“People want to see more businesses coming here,” suggests Nichols. Despite notable improvements to the Main Street storefronts over the past seven years, she acknowledges that there are still many empty buildings that need to be filled to reinvigorate the city center.

Nichols believes the city could benefit from more eateries and communal areas, voicing the common sentiment that there’s simply not enough for Chesnee citizens to do downtown.

‘Hometown person’

Nichols is passionate about her bid for the council seat, tracing her roots in the city back to five generations. “The main reason I am running is because I am a hometown person,” she notes, claiming that only a ‘hometown person’ has the kind of vision necessary to enact significant improvements.

Monica Skipper’s Vision for the City

Monica Skipper, the other contender in this special election, agrees with Nichols on the dire need for more business recruitment. Skipper, a small business owner who established a specialty gift store in the city in 2020, has been a city resident for the past 17 years.

Acknowledging the economic struggles of the city, Skipper underscores the need to provide more opportunities for the youth as there are not many activities readily available for them.

If elected, Skipper seeks to revitalize the downtown area but acknowledges that it won’t be an easy task. She believes the city has long neglected its downtown and feels more dedicated efforts need to be done. She draws an optimistic comparison of Chesnee’s potential to nearby Forest City, North Carolina, stating, “There’s so much to do and see in that town and I would love to see Chesnee be something like that where people want to come and visit.”

In the race to fill the city council seat, both candidates are optimistic and eager to improve the circumstances of the city. The special election on Aug. 20 will chart the course of Chesnee’s future.