Councilman Crowder Will Not Seek Re-Election

Anderson County Councilman Francis Crowder announced Thursday he will not seek re-election to his District 1 seat which includes most of the city of Anderson.

“By the end of my current term I will have spent six and a half years dedicated to public service as a county council member,” Crowder said. “Looking at the landscape of the future, it’s time for me to think inwardly about my life and family and the fact fact that I am 82 years old. Serving on council takes away from time I would spend religious things.” 

Crowder, who was was appointed by then Gov. Mark Sanford in 2010 to finish the term of Councilman Bob Waldrep who stepped down to serve on the S.C. State board of trustees, has served as council chairman twice and currently is head of the finance committee.

Crowder’s decision leaves a single candidate who has filed for the seat so far, Craig Wooten, director of business development and government relations at Tactical Medical Solutions Inc. and a former staff member of U.S. Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C. 

Filing for elected offices in South Carolina remains open until noon March 30.

Crowder said his greatest accomplishments include keeping the East-West Parkway clear of commercial development and family friendly for walkers, joggers and pet owners; working with council and the administration to control the budget and keep taxes down; working with Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns in economic development and to get a spec building and new industrial park for the county; and the building of network of private business groups such as Innovate Anderson, Upstate Alliance, the Appalachian Council of Governments to help the county get more exposure and get more people involved.” 

“Nobody gets anything done by themselves,” Crowder said. “But I guess those are the things I am most proud to have been a part of.”