Matthew Durham-Oconee County Council District 2

06/06/2026

Watching Lily and her teammates compete in the All-Star Tournament at the new Horton Fields in Westminster tonight.

What an incredible facility!

06/03/2026

107 good jobs are coming to Oconee County! Today, Mosdorfer announced it has selected Oconee County for its first North American operation, committing $44.55 million in investment and creating 107 new jobs.

That is a significant announcement by any measure, but what excites me most is the type of company choosing to invest here.

Mosdorfer is a family owned company. In my experience, privately held companies often think differently than publicly traded corporations. They are more likely to focus on the long term, invest in their employees, and make decisions based on generations rather than quarterly earnings reports. After spending time with their leadership team, it became clear that Mosdorfer shares that mindset.

They have been thinking in terms of generations for more than three centuries. The company traces its roots back to 1712, originally producing sabers before evolving into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of transmission line components and electrical infrastructure products. Companies do not survive for more than 300 years without a commitment to excellence, innovation, and long term planning. That is exactly the kind of partner Oconee County needs as we build toward a future worthy of the next generation.

That focus on future generations is important because Oconee County faces a challenge we cannot afford to ignore.

Over the last forty years, Oconee County’s population has nearly doubled. Yet our school enrollment has remained around 10,000 students and has actually declined slightly in recent years. Too many of our young people graduate from high school, attend Tri County Technical College or a university, and then leave home because they cannot find the same opportunities here that they can find elsewhere.

One of the reasons I sought office was to help create the kind of economy where our children can build successful lives without feeling like they have to leave Oconee County to do it.

Oconee County is blessed with tremendous wealth. Based on property values, we are the fifth wealthiest county in South Carolina. At the same time, nearly 70 percent of our students live under the poverty level. That tells us there is still too much economic disparity in our community.

My vision is for Oconee to be more than just a wonderful place to retire. I want it to be a place where our children and grandchildren can find good paying careers, buy homes, raise families, and stay close to the people they love.

That is why strategic economic development matters.

Not all growth is created equal. Residential growth alone increases demands on roads, public safety, solid waste, and other services. Industrial development helps pay for those services. It broadens the tax base, creates high quality jobs, and reduces the pressure to shift costs onto homeowners. That is why attracting the right industries remains one of this council’s top priorities.

Mosdorfer is exactly the type of company we want here. They are a stable, long established manufacturer serving one of the most essential industries in the world. Their products support the electric grid that powers our homes, businesses, hospitals, and economy. These are real jobs producing real products for a growing global market.

As Council Vice Chairman Don Mize said during today’s announcement, this is a company that is not reliant on government subsidies or passing trends. They are serving a growing industry with real demand, and they are here to stay.

The future of Oconee County will not be secured by accident. It will be secured by making the right decisions today so the next generation has more opportunities tomorrow.

06/03/2026

3,360 homes. That is how many housing units developers attempted to push through between the first and second reading of our subdivision moratorium. Those applications were not accepted. The pending ordinance doctrine placed the moratorium into effect following first reading, and county staff held the line.

At our last County Council meeting, we passed third and final reading of Ordinance 2026-15, establishing an eight-month moratorium on new subdivisions larger than ten homes. The moratorium is necessary because County Council and the Planning Commission are undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of Oconee County’s development ordinances. Without it, developers would have flooded the system to beat any new rules before they could take effect.

South Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, and Oconee County is feeling that pressure directly. Neighboring Anderson County recently enacted restrictions on mass grading. One consequence is that it places an even greater premium on flat, developable farmland. Oconee must act because decisions made in other counties will inevitably push more growth our way.

This effort is about more than roads and infrastructure. It is about protecting the character of Oconee County, preserving our rural heritage, and ensuring that growth does not erase the culture and way of life that make this place special.

When the final vote came before council, the chambers were filled with developers and attorneys. It did not matter. The ordinance passed unanimously.

As this council has demonstrated time and again, we are not intimidated and we will not be bullied. It does not matter how wealthy a developer is, how well connected they are, or what powerful interests may stand behind them. It does not matter whether they threaten lawsuits, political retaliation, media campaigns, or our defeat at the ballot box.

We work for the people of Oconee County.

That is why the June 9 primary matters.

Don Mize stood with the rest of council when developer Mark Hart threatened legal action, a “robust media campaign,” and political consequences if council did not comply with his demands regarding the proposed Newry development. Don never flinched.

Meanwhile, his opponent, Landon Lyle,has made a campaign promise of giving the City of Seneca greater influence over development decisions outside its city limits through a municipal development overlay. His family also profited from the proposed Newry development through the sale of adjoining property that provided valuable road frontage to the project after County Council turned it down.

The contrast is clear.

Oconee County’s future is on the line. Our children’s future is on the line.

The question facing voters is simple: Will the people of Oconee County decide what our community becomes, or will those decisions be made by developers, special interests, and politicians willing to accommodate them?

06/01/2026

Ralph Norman announces former state representative and Freedom Caucus chairman Adam Morgan as his Lt. Governor.

05/31/2026

The City of Seneca should not have control over growth and development outside its city limits.

Period.

We should not hand the development keys of our county to a city government that has made it clear it wants growth, growth, and more growth, regardless of the impact on the people who already live here.

Yet District 3 County Council candidate Landon Lyle says making sure a municipal overlay is implemented is one of the major promises of his campaign.

That means giving city politicians influence over county development, and county residents who cannot vote for them.

Because a municipal overlay would have paved the way for projects like the controversial South Cove development. The city would not have needed to annex the property to exert influence over development decisions. The residents who fought to protect their community would have had even less say over what happened in their own backyard.

And it would not stop there.

Mark Hart’s proposed Newry mega-development sits approximately one mile from Seneca’s city limits. A municipal overlay of the type being discussed would have extended into that area as well.

That means some of the largest and most controversial growth decisions facing Oconee County could be influenced by city officials elected by people who do not live in those communities and are not accountable to those residents at the ballot box.

I oppose it, and I believe county residents should too and District 3 voters should as well.

Read more below.

What Landon Lyle’s Municipal Overlay Promise Means for Oconee County

05/25/2026

Early voting starts tomorrow. You can vote early at the Oconee County Voter Registration and Elections Office at 415 S. Pine Street in Walhalla from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM through Friday, June 5. Early voting is closed on weekends. Election Day is Tuesday, June 9.

Kate and I will be voting for Ralph Norman for Governor.

Ralph was a conservative reformer in the South Carolina House, and in Congress he has built a reputation as one of the strongest conservatives fighting for lower taxes, less government, secure borders, election integrity, and America First policies.

As governor, Ralph Norman will bring that same reform-minded leadership to Columbia. He’ll challenge the political establishment, push for fiscal responsibility, defend our conservative values, stand up for law enforcement, protect property rights, and fight to keep South Carolina free and prosperous for the next generation.

This election matters. Get out and vote.

05/25/2026

Memorial Day honors an American heritage of courage, valor, sacrifice, and love of country.

Today we remember the brave men and women who gave their lives defending the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Freedom is never free.

05/23/2026

Join us today for the Oconee County Conservatives Memorial Day BBQ in Walhalla.

This is a great opportunity to meet your elected officials and candidates face to face, ask questions, and have real one on one conversations about the future of our county, state, and country.

We’ll have great food, fellowship, and conservative conversation.

Candidates joining us will be:

Congressman Ralph Norman, candidate for Governor of South Carolina

David Pascoe, First Circuit Solicitor and candidate for South Carolina Attorney General

Congresswoman Sheri Biggs

State Rep. Bill Whitmire

State Rep. Adam Duncan

County Councilman Don Mize

Danny Ford, candidate for South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture

In addition to myself, also attending will be:

Sheriff Mike Crenshaw

County Councilman Glenn Hart

County Councilman Tommy James

Event Details

Saturday, May 23
11:00 AM to 1:30 PM

American Legion Hall
319 Kenneth Street
Walhalla, South Carolina

$15 per plate

05/23/2026

The wolf is at the door, and this council is not backing down.

Just this week, County Council has received two threats of lawsuits, including one from the developers behind the Newry mega development, a project the Lyle family has profited from.

During Tuesday’s County Council meeting, the room was packed with developers and their lawyers.

Now we have a candidate whose family profited from the Newry development.

The same developer who threatened political retaliation against County Council.

The same developer who bought his father’s land for $370,000 that is road frontage for the Newry development.

05/22/2026

“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you”
‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday, earthly justice was served, but our ultimate trust has always been in God’s justice and mercy. What the enemy meant for evil, God has carried us through with His strength, protection, and faithfulness. We are grateful for justice, thankful for survival and putting all our trust in God for the healing ahead.
Over the past 918 days since Lucas was injured in the line of duty, there were many moments we didn’t know if he would survive or how we would make it through. But God never left our side. Through fear, surgeries, therapy, court dates, and long nights, He remained constant.
We are grateful for every prayer, message, and act of support. Our family extends so much gratitude to the jury and Judge McIntosh as they delivered a guilty verdict and 183 years & 30 day punishment. We praise the Lord that He opened their eyes to the evil actions on Lucas and his coworkers on November 16th 2023.
While yesterday brings a sense of closure, we continue to pray for healing, peace, and redemption for everyone affected. Our faith has sustained us through the darkest days, and we know God’s hand has been over our family every step of the way. This chapter has been closed but we will forever be affected by the evil acts performed on that day. Traumatic brain injuries do not simply heal or disappear and our family will carry the weight of this forever. We continue to thank you all for your love, prayers and support.
Lucas, Haley and Eli Watts 🖤💙🖤