TRAVELERS REST — Local man Dan "Landslide" McCready is demanding answers after losing Tuesday's mayoral election to incumbent Brandy Hart Amidon by a margin of 535 to zero, a result he attributes to "big-city political tricks" rather than his complete failure to register as a candidate.

"She got me this time," McCready, 54, told reporters from his home on Highway 25, which is located approximately two miles outside the Travelers Rest city limits. "But make no mistake — Brandy Amidon knows I was coming for her. Why else would she run basically unopposed?"

Amidon, who has served on the Travelers Rest City Council since 2010 and is the first female and youngest mayor in the city's history, received 535 votes in Tuesday's election. McCready received none, as his name did not appear on the ballot.

"The deadline to file was months ago," explained Greenville County Elections Director Conway Belangia. "We have no record of a Dan McCready ever submitting paperwork. Or calling us. Or visiting our office."

McCready dismissed these claims as "technicalities."

"I had a whole campaign strategy mapped out," he explained, gesturing to a napkin on his kitchen table with the words "WIN MAYOR" written in blue ink. "I was going to walk the Swamp Rabbit Trail every day, shaking hands. I was going to eat at every restaurant on Main Street. I was going to really connect with the people."

When asked if he had done any of these things, McCready paused.

"In my heart, I did," he said.

Local business owners expressed confusion when asked about McCready's campaign. "Never heard of him," said Tandem Creperie owner Jessica Allen. "And I'm pretty sure he'd need to actually live here to be mayor."

McCready acknowledged the residency issue but remained undeterred. "I'm basically in TR," he said. "I can see the city limit sign from my mailbox if I squint. That's close enough for government work."

Despite receiving zero votes, McCready insists the race was closer than it appeared. "You have to read between the lines," he said. "All those people who voted for Brandy? A lot of them were probably thinking about voting for me. They just got confused."

He reserved grudging praise for Amidon, who holds degrees from Harvard, Emory, and Oglethorpe University. "She's clever, I'll give her that. Getting on the ballot, telling people she was running, actually living in town — that's some real political savvy right there."

McCready has already announced his intention to run in the next election, though he admitted he was "not totally clear" on when that would be or what the filing requirements were.

"2028, 2029, whatever," he said. "I'll be ready. And next time, I might even put up some yard signs."

Mayor Amidon's office declined to comment, noting they were unaware any opponent existed.