5 Candidates Running for Mayor; 8 in Council Race

The filing period to seek town office in Mount Pleasant closed Monday, and five candidates for mayor and eight candidates for town council emerged. 

Here's who is in the race:

Mayor
Joe Bustos, former councilman
Carl Carroll Jr.
George Freeman, long-time political activist
Councilman Ken Glasson
Councilwoman Linda Page

Town Council
Ben Bryson
Councilman Elton Carrier
Paul Gawrych, former councilman
Timm Gipe
Anthony Kowbeidu
Gary Santos, former councilman
Mark Smith, Charleston County GOP official
Joseph Wren

Mayor Billy Swails has opted not to seek a second term, and councilmen Craig Rhyne and John Burn have opted not to seek re-election. Because Linda Page is seeking the mayor's office, she cannot appear on the council ballot.

Mount Pleasant elects its council at-large. That means the candidates with the largest number of votes takes the four open seats. 

This year, for the first time, the mayor's election will require more than just a simple majority to win. If none of the five candidates have 50 percent or more of the votes, the two highest vote getters will head to a runoff. 

Mount Pleasant voters head to the polls Nov. 5, 2013.