So why, local officials want to know, are two state senators from those counties pushing a bill that would rescind Colleton County and Walterboro's power to appoint their own members and give it to the legislative delegation?

Sens. Clementa Pinckney, D-Ridgeland, and John Matthews, D-Bowman, both said they would like to see the all-white Walterboro-Colleton Airport Commission reflect the community more -- even though the Ridgeland Airport Commission in Pinckney's hometown has no black members.

Colleton County Councilman Steve Murdaugh, who also serves as chairman of the airport commission, said that neither senator would have introduced the bill if they lived in Colleton County.

"Senator Pinckney has not made it an issue in his county because that's not an issue, as it's not an issue in this county," he said. "I bet Jasper County wishes it had made some of the same progress our airport has made over the years."

Pinckney, who did not return a call Tuesday, said last week that he was also concerned that because each of the five members of the Walterboro-Colleton Airport Commission holds public office, there's an issue of dual-office holding.

Matthews said diversity was the sole reason he decided to co-sponsor the bill. He said he sees no reason to change how commission members are appointed in Orangeburg because four of the seven members are black. When asked about Jasper County, Matthews said, "I don't represent Jasper County."

Murdaugh said the proposed legislation would violate Home Rule and that they would challenge it if they had to.

"You just hate to go to battle against your own delegation when, well certainly in this case, they haven't done their homework," he said.

The bill won't come up for a vote until the next legislative session. Officials said whoever wins the special District 121 election to fill the seat, left vacant by the death of Rep. Walter Lloyd, could play a major role in whether it passes.

Walterboro Mayor Harry Cone said the fact that the senators introduced the bill without talking to local officials beforehand just shows how important it is that Colleton County elect one of its own.

Four of the candidates -- two Colleton County Democrats and two Beaufort County Republicans -- said they would side with Walterboro and Colleton County in this case.

Democratic candidate Bobby Mayes said he would like to see a minority serve on the airport commission but he doesn't see the need to hand the keys to the local legislative delegation.

"We could work something out in Colleton County without bringing the delegation into it," he said.

Republican Jennifer Bailey said if it's not broken, why fix it? "It sounds like they've got a good handle on it," she said of the commission.

Democrat Reaves McLeod said it's a bad bill. "The airport commission is doing well, and it will continue to do well," he said. "The last thing they need to do is rock the boat."

Republican Brad Dralle said it's more important to appoint people who are knowledgeable about aviation. He said he would vote to keep the commission appointments at the local level. "I'm a grassroots type of person, and that's where all problems need to be administered to."

The Rev. Kenneth Hodges, a Democrat who has houses in both Colleton and Beaufort, said he would withhold his opinion until he could hear from both sides.

The Rev. Ja-Don Buckner, also a Democrat, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.