North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By Ruben Lowman
The political landscape for the Horry County Board of Education has officially come into focus following the closing of the 2026 filing deadline, setting the stage for a potentially significant leadership transition.
With current Board Chair David Cox opting not to seek reelection, the race for the top seat has narrowed to a contest between two current board members, ensuring that the district will have a new face at the helm.
Darrell Ricketts, a Republican representing the Aynor and Conway areas with nearly four decades of experience as a teacher and administrator, will face off against Melanie Wellons, the current vice chair from Carolina Forest. The outcome of this race is particularly vital for residents in the northern end of the county, as the chair oversees the strategic direction for schools serving the rapidly-expanding populations of North Myrtle Beach and Little River.
In the local districts, the race for District 1 that represents NMB and Little River will see incumbent David Koch challenged by Louis Palm.
Koch, a Republican who was first elected in 2022 and works in recovery services, is defending his seat against Palm, a Democrat and Army veteran who previously sought the mayoral office in North Myrtle Beach. This race is expected to draw significant attention from local voters who are focused on how the district manages the rapid influx of new families moving into the northern beach communities.
Meanwhile, District 10, which represents Loris and Green Sea, is guaranteed a fresh representative as longtime member Neil James steps aside.
The field for this seat includes a diverse group of Republican candidates, including retired state trooper Jason Morgan, former Moms for Liberty chapter chairman David Warner and longtime Loris High School band director Stephen Whisnant.
The heavy interest in these board positions reflects the growing complexities of managing a district that must constantly adapt to the residential sprawl reaching into Longs and the rural stretches near Loris. For many families in these areas, the choice of a representative impacts everything from bus routes to the construction of the new facilities recently proposed along the Highway 90 corridor.
As the primary elections approach on June 9, the candidates are expected to ramp up their presence in the community to discuss how they intend to balance the demands of aging infrastructure with the needs of an expanded student body.
