MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) --Two-term Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune appears to have fallen short in her bid for another four years, dropping the race in a major upset to her one-time employee.

Retired public information officer Mark Kruea, 67, had 52 percent of the vote with 11 of 16 city precincts reporting as of 8:30 p.m. according to unofficial state Election Commission data.

Kruea, a political newcomer, is no stranger to the city he'll now preside over, spending more than 25 years as it spokesman.

Kruea had 4,169 votes to Bethune's 2,281. Former mayor Mark McBride got 1,264 while Daniel Aumen got 112 and Eva Perez Rigney got 149.

Bethune, who launched her high-profile re-election campaign in March, secured an endorsement from Gov. Henry McMaster, but it wasn't enough.

Kruea ove

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