Horry County Council Chairman Liz Gilland may be interested in becoming a US Congresswoman, but people close to her say she's waiting for the calling.
When asked if she was planning to run for the seat of retiring Congressman Henry Brown, Gilland gave a big laugh and no clear answer.
"Well, I might," Gilland said last week, but added, "I don't know yet."
Gilland's second term as council chairman ends Dec. 31, and she hasn't announced whether she'll seek re-election for that either.
"I don't know," she said.
Gilland has a history of running for higher office as evident by her unsuccessful bid to become a state senator in 2008. Incumbent SC Senator Luke Rankin defeated Gilland in the primary and went on to maintain his senate seat in the November election.
While Gilland mulls her political future, others are beginning to eye the council chairmanship.
Councilman Howard Barnard will announce Monday that he will seek the top spot on council by offering new leadership.
Barnard said he doesn't want to run a campaign of politically attacking others, but he said Gilland isn't getting the job done.
"I think she's struggling with her own life, and I think that's distracting from her ability, in particular, to build consensus on council and in the county, and I think that's a detriment to good government."
Barnard loosely eluded to Gilland's troubles with the ethics commission this year and other missteps that have brought media scrutiny.
Barnard will announce his bid at 11:00 a.m. Monday at the Horry County Government and Justice Center in Conway.
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