David Merchant wins reelection as Sumter mayor

The City of Sumter will see the same leader at its helm for the next four years, as David Merchant won enough votes to secure a victory outright Nov. 5.

Merchant’s 57.92% of the vote between four candidates, or 8,813 votes, avoided a runoff situation because he earned a majority of the votes. It will be Merchant’s second term.

Foxy Rae Campbell, who ran against Merchant in 2020 as well, came in second with 26.2% of the vote, or 3,986 votes. T. Frank Adams II came in third with 7.83% of the vote, or 1,191 votes, followed by Reginald Evans, who got 7.5% of the vote, or 1,141 votes.

There were 85 write-ins.