Horry County School Board Races Heating Up After Filing Deadline

New faces set to lead district as current board chair steps down

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:21pm

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The political landscape for the Horry County Board of Education has been finalized 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, Darrell Ricketts and Melanie Wellons. Meanwhile, other key district races are also taking shape, reflecting the growing complexities of managing a rapidly expanding student population across the county.

Why it matters

The outcome of these school board races will have a major impact on how the Horry County school district addresses critical issues like managing enrollment growth, allocating resources, and setting the strategic direction for the district's future. The new leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping the educational experience for thousands of students across the region.

The details

In the race for the board chair position, Darrell Ricketts, a Republican with nearly four decades of experience as a teacher and administrator, will face off against Melinda Wellons, the current vice chair from the Carolina Forest area. The District 1 race representing North Myrtle Beach and Little River will see incumbent David Koch, a Republican first elected in 2022, challenged by Democrat Louis Palm, an Army veteran. In District 10 covering Loris and Green Sea, longtime member Neil James is stepping aside, leading to a Republican primary between retired state trooper Jason Morgan, former Moms for Liberty chapter chairman David Warner, and longtime Loris High School band director Stephen Whisnant.

  • The 2026 filing deadline for the Horry County School Board races closed on April 1, 2026.
  • The primary elections are scheduled for June 9, 2026.

The players

David Cox

The current chair of the Horry County Board of Education who is not seeking reelection.

Darrell Ricketts

A Republican candidate for the Horry County Board of Education chair position, with nearly four decades of experience as a teacher and administrator.

Melanie Wellons

The current vice chair of the Horry County Board of Education, running for the chair position as a Republican.

David Koch

The incumbent Republican member of the Horry County Board of Education representing District 1, which covers North Myrtle Beach and Little River.

Louis Palm

The Democratic challenger for the Horry County Board of Education District 1 seat, an Army veteran who previously ran for mayor of North Myrtle Beach.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Ruben Lowman, Author

What’s next

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.

The takeaway

These school board races reflect the growing complexities of managing the Horry County school district as it grapples with rapid residential growth and the need to adapt its resources and facilities to serve an expanding student population. The new leadership elected will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education in the region.