Isle of Palms Winter-Spring 2018-19

13 www.IsleOfPalmsMagazine.com | www.ILoveIOP.com | www.IOPmag.com You’ve taken Isle of Palms off the seat at the table. … I thought you were a Republican.” Carroll said Cunningham reached out to him the day after the June 12 Republican primary, when Arrington defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford. “We are more alike than you think,” Cunningham told Carroll, and the IOP mayor apparently agreed, especially in view of the Democratic candidate’s staunch opposition to drilling off the South Carolina coast. “The coast is everything. It’s a $19-billion industry,” said Carroll. “And Katie flip-flopped on the issue.” Carroll, Langley, Owens and O’Neil agreed with Cunningham’s stance on drilling, and they also cited Arrington’s vote against permitting local communities to ban the use of plastics. Possibly just as important, they were impressed by Cunningham’s positive approach during the election cycle. “I can’t stand negative campaigning,” Carroll said, while Owens added that “she kept slinging mud. It took a toll on me and others. Her style turned me off.” “I chose by looking at how the election would benefit my town, my community and my district,” the Mount Pleasant Councilman added. “The decision was pretty easy. He put the process above party. He was the responsible adult. That’s democracy.” Langley, a founding member of Don’t Drill Lowcountry, described Cunningham with three words: civility, integrity and truth. “He’s just what we need to represent the Lowcountry. He’s an environmentalist and he’s smart. I can’t vote for someone just because she’s a woman,” Langley commented. O’Neil, meanwhile, who pointed out that he has voted [ Feature ] “I chose by looking at how the election would benefit my town, my community and my district.” – Jim Owens Two local mayors, Jimmy Carroll of Isle of Palms, left, and Pat O’Neil of Sullivan’s Island, endorsed Cunningham. Photo by Brian Sherman. Photo courtesy of the Joe Cunningham campaign. Joe and his dog, Teddy, working hard in the office.