Andrew Graves has represented Dillon County’s 6th District for more than a decade. He loved the job, and ran again last year. But he lost the primary to Robbie Coward. Graves says he’s not upset about the lost, but he says Coward cheated to win.
“I’m upset because he says he’s going to represent in the district– I live in the district,” Graves says, adding Coward does not live in the district. “If he gonna represent the district, and the law says he need to have to live in the district, then he should be moved in the district.”
The district race that Coward won is the sixth district. Graves says Coward lives in the seventh district.
Director of Dillon County Voter Registration Susie Edwards says county council candidates must have residency in the district they hope to represent 30 days before the general election.
Records from the Voter Registration Office show Coward changed his address to the 200 block of Emmanuelville Loop — which sits in the 6th district — three days before the deadline. Coward’s previous address was listed on the 700 block of East Jefferson Street, in the 7th district. That’s questionable to Graves.
News13 found deed records that show the Emmanuelville Loop home, where Coward claims to as his residence, was bought on September 22, 2014 by an individual named Stephen B. Davis for $25,000. Dillon County Courthouse records also show Davis has his tax notices sent to the Emmanuelville Loop home, which suggests Davis lives there, again, in the same home where Voter Registration Office records show Coward claims his residence.
Brandon Taylor says he’s lived his entire life across the street from the home, on the 200 block of Emmanuelville Loop. Taylor says he thinks Robbie Coward’s son, Brad Coward, lives in the home because Robbie’s vehicle, which Taylor describes as a white truck, is very rarely parked in front of the house and Brad’s vehicle, which Taylor describes as a dark truck, is parked there every day.
Coward ignored an email from News13 that requested an interview. He also ignored our questions when we approached him after Wednesday’s County Council meeting.
