Mark Kruea, a retired public official, won Myrtle Beach's mayoral race with 51% of the vote, defeating incumbent Brenda Bethune.

Mark Kruea, a 68-year-old former Myrtle Beach public information officer who retired in 2024, won the city’s mayoral election on Nov. 4, 2025, capturing 51% of the vote. He defeated incumbent Mayor Brenda Bethune, who received 28%, and former mayor Mark McBride, who got 16%. Kruea, a longtime resident of the Market Common area, ran on a platform emphasizing public safety, government transparency, and expanding city services beyond downtown. He plans to address 50 vacant police positions and improve community engagement. The results, based on unofficial counts, are expected to be certified on Nov. 6, with a runoff election set for Nov. 18 to fill two City Council seats. Incumbent Mike Lowder won one council seat with 3,854 votes.