Horry school board member seeking state legislature seat in Surfside Beach
Horry County Board of Education member Howard Barnard, a retired Air Force fighter pilot and colonel, announced Wednesday that he plans to run for the Surfside Beach seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives in hopes of replacing Rep. Russell Fry.
Fry last year announced a campaign against U.S. Rep. Tom Rice (R-Myrtle Beach) and said he wouldn’t seek re-election while he runs for Congress, leaving his seat open.
In addition to serving on the county school board, Barnard previously served two terms on Horry County Council. He was elected to the school board in 2020. He has a degree in economics from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. He and his wife, Marga, have a son and daughter and five grandchildren. They live in Surfside.
“I’ve spent the better part of my life in public service, and at no time have I been more concerned about the role and function of government at all levels, about the direction of this great country and about the needs of the good citizens of the booming South Strand,” Barnard said in a statement announcing his race. “I’m proud of what I have accomplished to date, but there is much work left to be done. I have the time, energy and experience to hit the ground running and make a real difference from day one.”
In a news release accompanying his announcement, Barnard said he plans to focus on military and veteran’s issues in South Carolina. He also cited the area’s transportation needs as a focus if he’s elected. Barnard highlighted that he helped draft the county’s second Ride Improvement and Development Effort (RIDE II), which used county funds to build International Drive and widen S.C. 707.
Barnard has also played a role in expanding the Myrtle Beach International Airport and advocating for the Southern Evacuation Lifeline, a planned highway that would give the south end of Horry County easier access to U.S. 501. In his announcement, he also said he would focus on education issues.
Horry County political operative Tom Herron is assisting with Barnard’s campaign.
“Among my highest priorities will be stop talking and start doing when it comes to our long overdue transportation needs and to focus attention and money on the of education of our children, while keeping parents in the driver’s seat,” Barnard said.
Barnard is the first person to announce a run for the Surfside Beach seat.
