Mount Pleasant commission elects Wingard mayor, Eke vice mayor; appoints Hannah Demerath to vacancy

The Mount Pleasant City Commission on a voice vote appointed Commissioner Wingard as mayor and Maureen Eke as vice mayor for the 2026 calendar year.

After opening nominations, the commission closed nominations and approved both appointments by unanimous voice votes. The mayor presided over the remainder of the meeting.

The commission later considered applications to fill a partial-term vacancy created by the departure of Commissioner Bush. After discussion about selection criteria and a review of eight applicants, the appointments committee recommended Hannah Demerath. Commissioners cited Demerath's municipal experience on the Zoning Board of Appeals and her status as a homeowner and parent when explaining the recommendation. The commission approved her appointment; she will be sworn in at the next regular meeting and will serve through the August 4, 2026 primary election, when voters will decide the seat for the remainder of the term.

The commission made the appointments and the vacancy fill by recorded motions that were seconded and adopted by voice vote during the January session. No formal roll-call tallies were read into the minutes for these motions.