Shelton Yonce, according to official results, was the top vote-getter in the Lexington County School District One special election.

Once votes are certified, Yonce will be Lexington County School District One's newest school board member, replacing Beth Shealy who resigned from the seat earlier this year after the arrest of her husband, Richard Channing Shealy, on 13 charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. Richard Shealy later received 20 additional related charges.

Official results from the June 23 special election show that Yonce earned 3,626 votes (44.54%), Dana Homesley earned 3,209 votes (39.42%) and Crystal Baker earned 1,220 votes (14.99%). There were 86 write-ins and 8,141 votes total cast in the June 23 race.

Homesley and Yonce both ran for seats on the board in 2024, but did not win.

Lexington County School District One board seats represent all of Lexington County School District One, which includes 18 elementary schools, eight middle schools, five high schools and one technology center. The district serves about 27,200 students.

Yonce will join Chair Kathy Henson, Secretary Chris Rice and board members Katie McCown, McKenzie Flashnick, Mike Anderson and Nick Pizzuti.

Rice's term ends in 2026 and McCown's term ends in 2026. The other current members' terms end in 2028.

Because Shealy's term was scheduled to expire this year, Yonce will serve the remainder of the term then run for a full term in November.

In a written question-and-answer before the election, Yonce told the Chronicle he wants to "make sure rural students are seen and that teachers, staff and parents have a strong voice on the board."

Yonce previously served on Pelion Town Council, and he works as a commercial real estate broker at ERA Wilder Realty, specializing in small businesses throughout Lexington County and surrounding areas.

"I am a neighbor and a product of these schools," he wrote. "I promise an open door to parents and teachers."