Seven on ballot for Loris special election

By Tonya Root

The Sun News

LORIS - Seven people, including the wife of a former councilman who pleaded guilty to drug charges, are vying for the one seat on Loris City Council at a special election set for April 11.

Russell Herring, a councilman for 13 years, resigned Jan. 12 before he pleaded guilty to eight drug charges. City Council set the special election to find his replacement, according to their ordinance.

Herring's wife, Myron Herring, has filed to seek the seat, along with

Leonard "Ray" Boyer Jr., Myron R. Cox, Shirley O. Craigie, Luther Lighty Jr., Shirley A. Martin and Charles E. Urello.

Lighty's name is not new in Loris city politics. He has unsuccessfully tried three times to unseat Mayor David Stoudenmire, in 1995, 1999 and 2003.

Russell Herring, 57, was sentenced to five years and six months in jail, but his sentence will be suspended after he serves 101 days in jail. He began serving his sentence Jan. 12.

Gov. Mark Sanford suspended him from his City Council position in August pending the outcome of the charges after an Horry County grand jury issued indictments on the 14 charges against him.

The charges stemmed from an investigation conducted last year. Police say he sold drugs from his business from April until July 5, when he was arrested at his business, Russell's Stop and Shop at 4635 Main St., Loris.

Contact TONYA ROOT at 248-2149 or troot@thesunnews.com.

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