Gilham, a Republican who represents Hilton Head Island, announced Tuesday she would not seek a fourth term in the state House of Representatives. She said in a statement she must honor a public pledge to serve only three terms, which she made during her 1998 campaign.

Island resident Herb Wiedemann asked her to sign the pledge on behalf of U.S. Term Limits, an advocacy group that thinks term limits improve government by reducing the power of incumbency and special interest groups. Wiedemann wrote Gilham a letter in February stating, "if you choose to repudiate the pledge, that is between you, your constituents and your conscience."

Several local leaders said Wednesday that holding Gilham to that pledge overlooks the benefits of seniority in a system where other districts will not hold their legislators to such promises.

"If term limits had been implemented on many levels, as was being seriously discussed in 1998, they may have accomplished what term-limit advocates intended," said Weston Newton, the County Council chairman. "But for term limits to be applied now in a vacuum is a disservice to District 123."

Newton, who campaigned for Gilham, said he talked with her Wednesday and encouraged her to run again. He said he thought the pledge was made only to Wiedemann and other voters should not hold her to it.

"I don't think it was a pledge made to the public," he said.

State Sen. Scott Richardson, a Republican representing Beaufort County, also encouraged her to run again.

"JoAnne never campaigned on term limits," he said. "If she had been out beating the podium about term limits, that'd be something different."

Gilham's statement described the pledge as public, and said she readily signed it believing in term limits. She could not be reached Wednesday for comment.

Wiedemann said public officials trying to change Gilham's mind are doing so because they think strengthening the term limits movement would threaten their own careers.

He cites Gov. Mark Sanford's three-term stay in Congress as proof term limits can work in a system where not everyone abides by them.

"JoAnne made a promise, she has lived up to it, and she's admirable for doing so," he said. "She is a woman of conscience."

On Wednesday, local leaders could not immediately say what significant legislation Gilham has proposed during her tenure, save her leading role in lowering the state's standard blood alcohol content level for drivers from 0.10 to 0.08. The change was made under federal threats to withhold as much as $60 million for roads.

"A lot of things you've done don't get big flags," Richardson said. "Doing a good job isn't always about how many bills you introduce."

Local leaders also said they support Gilham because she has made herself available and has been willing to listen.

"She is probably the most responsive elected official we've ever had," said John Curry, who has been on numerous government boards through the years and currently serves on the county's Aviation Advisory Board and the state's Tourism Expenditure Review Committee.

Newton said Gilham's experience would aid County Council far more than a freshman legislator could.

"As we come to press our road needs, having JoAnne in the legislature with her contacts and knowledge of how to get things done will serve us well," he said. "Do not overlook the importance of being well-respected by other members of the General Assembly."

Tom Peeples, who has served as Hilton Head Island's mayor since 1995, said only an election-day decision by voters should determine whether Gilham or other politicians have been in office too long.

"That's the ultimate term limit: the voters," Peeples said. "I think it's unfortunate Mr. Wiedemann has somehow convinced JoAnne not to run, and if the public wants her to run again, I would hope they call her and tell her so."

Peeples and Newton said they do not plan to run for Gilham's seat.