DJ Rich and John McFarland square off in special election for council seat that opened when Chris Bizzell was elected mayor in November run-off
by Matt Poust | Contributing Writer
Two elections, three months, four elected city officials later and the politics train that started on Folly Beach in November is at its last stop (for now). With Chris Bizzell’s win in the mayoral runoff race against Elton Culpepper, his old City Council seat was left open—and now voters will get the chance to fill it in a special election on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Unlike its fall predecessor, which saw votes split among 11 different candidates (5 mayoral, 6 council) this special election will be an old-fashioned mano a mano showdown between two familiar names: DJ Rich and John McFarland. The winning candidate will serve out the rest of Bizzell’s council term—which expires in 2027—helping guide the island through its next two years of change.
A FAMILIAR FACE RESURFACES: DJ RICH
For longtime residents of Folly, the name DJ Rich likely rings a familiar bell. Whether it’s from his extensive time spent on city council, his presidency of the Folly Beach Exchange Club, or Planet Follywood—the family business he’s run for 20 years with his grandmother, Momma Flo—Rich has become a staple of the local community. He has spent the past 16 years on city council, including four as mayor pro tem. During that time he’s worked on everything from environmental protection and public safety to ensuring Folly keeps one of the lowest tax rates in the county.
After losing his bid for mayor in November, Rich said he took a little time off—but not too much time. The brief break gave him space to reflect, recharge, and realize he’s still “hungry” to keep working for Folly Beach. His focus this time is on protecting natural resources, keeping the city financially healthy, improving safety and livability, and—in his words—”keeping Folly funky.”
He said this campaign is about getting back to basics: walking the island, chatting with neighbors, and earning support face-to-face. Rich has found common ground with Mayor Bizzell on several fronts, from using technology to make city services more efficient to bringing residents, businesses and visitors together to move Folly in a positive direction. With his years of experience and deep local knowledge, Rich says he’s ready to help guide the next phase of Folly’s future.
A NEW VOICE WITH A FAMILIAR MISSION: JOHN MCFARLAND
John McFarland’s path to the ballot looks a little different. A retired high school science teacher, McFarland moved to Folly Beach in the summer of 2025, specifically to run for City Council. Before that, he owned several long-term rental properties on the island and followed city issues closely for years.
In recent history, McFarland has become a visible name in community activism. He founded Save Folly’s Future in 2021, a citizens’ group that pushed for limits on short-term rentals. He also played a leading role in organizing the 2023 citizen’s referendum that successfully capped the number of new investment short-term rental licenses—a major moment for residents concerned about preserving the island’s livability and balance.
McFarland says his campaign message hasn’t changed since November: maintain the Island Short-Term Rental (ISTR) cap at 800, improve flood control and drainage, enhance pedestrian safety, and make sure noise and rental rules are enforced. His approach is steady, community-oriented and grounded in consensus-building.
He’s a firm believer that good governance starts with empathy, understanding, and collaboration among a council united in purpose and goals. Having attended nearly every council meeting for the past four years, McFarland says he already understands the issues, the people and the process—and that he’s ready to help Mayor Bizzell and the rest of the council put shared goals into action.
LOOKING AHEAD
With a seasoned city council veteran on one side and an outspoken community advocate on the other, voters have a real choice this month. DJ Rich brings long-standing experience and a record of city leadership, while John McFarland represents a newer voice rooted in citizen activism and neighborhood priorities.
Whoever wins will step into Mayor Bizzell’s former City Council seat, serving through 2027—and helping to shape how Folly Beach balances progress, preservation and that irreplaceable funky charm residents love.
