McMeekin challenged by Chatman

Burroughs, Prather Unopposed for Council

WINNSBORO – Four candidates have filed to run in the Town of Winnsboro general election to be held April 1, 2025. Candidates for mayor include current Mayor John McMeekin and current Town Councilman Demetrius Chatman. Two town council members, Jae Burroughs and Janice Bartell, are running unopposed for their seats.

McMeekin is seeking his second term as mayor of Winnsboro. He previously served one term on Winnsboro town council and 24 years as chair of the town’s Zoning Board of Adjustment. A native of Winnsboro, McMeekin serves now and in the past on a number of committees including the Executive Committee of the Central Midlands Council of Governments and is chair of the Fairfield Joint Water and Sewer Service Commission. McMeekin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Erskine College where he studied history and government. He is married to Lanna, and they are parents of an adult daughter.

Demetrius Chatman, a lifelong resident of Winnsboro, is also running for mayor. He is currently serving his second term on town council. He serves as council’s mayor pro tem and chairs both the Finance Committee and Downtown Revitalization Committee. A graduate of South Carolina State University, he also holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from Webster University. Chatman currently serves as Program Manager for Title III Programs at South Carolina State University, where he manages federal initiatives that strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Janice Bartell Prather, a current Winnsboro town councilwoman representing Dist. 2, is a longtime Winnsboro business woman and owner of Vanity Stylon Hair Salon. Bartell is seeking her third term on council. She was first elected to council in 2017. She is married to Bob, and is the mother of three adult children.

Jae Burroughs, current Town of Winnsboro councilman representing Dist. 4, is a lifelong resident of Winnsboro and works in insurance sales. He is seeking his second term on council. Burroughs is married to Chelsey and they are parents to three children: Cabe, 12; Addie, 9; and Noah, 3.

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