Moore Wins Goose Creek Runoff

With one of his young sons in his arms as he stood with a small crowd outside of the polling place, Franklin Moore learned he was the newest member of the Goose Creek City Council.

Earlier this month, Moore, the city's Planning Commission Chairman, placed third in an eight-man race for three seats on the council. Without a majority, a runoff was called with incumbent Sal Gandolfo, who placed fourth.

On Tuesday, Moore took 448 of the 825 votes cast in the runoff. The 30-year-old engineer grew up in Florence, but he has lived in Goose Creek since 2006. 

He ran with a message of "transition" for the council that includes several long-serving members. 

"I want to thank the people who voted, regardless of who they voted for," Moore said. "I think people are ready to transition and move forward into the future." 

As Moore told us he wanted to get in and get his feet wet, Mayor Michael Heitzler walked up with a game plan. "Well, you're going to rest," the mayor said after the 12-hour election day. "And then give me a call." 

Moore said he wouldn't have had a campaign without the volunteers and supporters. "The amount of time that people were willing to devote to helping me — that shocked me," he said. "It's humbling."

Gandolfo served 16 years on council after serving 14 on the city's zoning board. During the campaign, Gandolfo noted his hard work for residents and improving fire protection with a second firehouse as one of the council's top achievements.