WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsRun-off for mayor gets dirty in Myrtle Beach

Run-off for mayor gets dirty in Myrtle Beach

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - The polls will open once again in Myrtle Beach in the run-off election between incumbent John Rhodes and Mark McBride for the city's top political spot.

The race between the two is a hot one and some say political ads surrounding the campaigns are getting nasty. Whether it's questionable campaign contributions or the controversy surrounding Elmer Fudd, the Myrtle Beach mayoral race has seen its fair share of what many have called 'dirty politics.'

Both Rhodes and McBride, however, say they haven't had a personal part in any negative campaigning. Dozens of YouTube videos attack both candidates online.

 “I laugh at them because it's amazing when you look at the blogs [and see] how much free time people have," said Rhodes.

"It's not been dirty on both sides, it's been dirty from John Rhodes' side of the aisle," McBride fired back.

One website, therealmarkmcbride.com, shows an image of McBride as Elmer Fudd, or the person who posted what some call 'defamatory comments' on the Sun News website about the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Another website shows Rhodes accepting what some have called questionable campaign contributions.

Both candidates say that the so-called attack videos are false.

"It's just low life and that's not what it's about,” said McBride. "It's about jobs. It's about the tax, and it's about bringing visitors [here]. We need to put all this garbage behind us and move the city forward."

"We've thought positive. We've looked positive,” said Rhodes, “and if you're negative, I'm sorry for you because you don't get things accomplished.”

Copyright 2009 WMBF News. All rights reserved.