Columbia City Council Votes to Hold E.W. Cromartie Seat Election on April 6

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - The Columbia City Council voted Wednesday to hold the election for the vacant District II seat on April 6, after E.W. Cromartie II resigned Tuesday after admitting to tax evasion.

The vote by the council in favor of that date was unanimous. The decision, however, has to be approved by South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster.

Cromartie's resignation came after a plea agreement with federal prosecutors that required him to give up his office, a seat he had held for the past 27 years. District II, the area he represented, stretches from near Two Notch Road, through Columbia's Vista, and over to Bush River Road. Previous Coverage: E.W. Cromartie Agrees to Plea on Tax Evasion Charges

The decision, which involved all council members, the South Carolina Attorney General and City of Columbia attorneys, began at 9 a.m. Wednesday at City Hall during the council's regularly scheduled meeting.

The council had been advised by the State Election Commission that state law says if there is a mayoral or city council vacancy, it should be filled at the next general election date--in this case, April 6. However, that date gives candidates less than 30 days to register and campaign, and city ordinances say candidates must give a 60 day notice of their intention to run. The council did discuss whether to hold a special election at a later date. Related Coverage: Columbia Mayor Bob Coble and City Council React to E.W. Cromartie Plea

An attorney for the city, Ken Gaines, advised the council that they should hold the special election at a later date.

The council heard from several members of the community who were either for or against the April 6 date. Included in that group were three of the candidates running for Columbia mayor--Aaron Johnson, Steve Morrison, and Steve Benjamin. Johnson said he had no opinion the matter, Morrison was against the April 6 date, while Benjamin was in favor.

Filing for the open seat will be from March 13 to the 19th.

Already, candidates have announced their intention to file, including Brian Newman and Harold "Puff" Howard. There has been speculation that former Councilman Cromartie's son, E.W. Cromartie III, might run, but he has not revealed his plans. When asked about his son potentially seeking his old office, Cromartie II said Tuesday he wouldn't try to influence what his son chose to do.