News Summary
Spartanburg County is preparing for two significant special elections on November 4, following the resignations of Sheriff Chuck Wright and Councilman David Britt. The elections will determine the next sheriff and fill the District 2 seat on the City Council. Voters will engage in both partisan and nonpartisan elections, with early voting set to start in late October. The unusual arrangement highlights important leadership changes in the county.
Spartanburg, South Carolina – Two significant partisan special elections are set to take place on November 4, 2025, in response to the recent resignations of former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright and former County Councilman David Britt. Wright resigned on May 23 amid an ongoing FBI investigation, while Britt departed his position on May 19 to join the state’s public service commission.
The upcoming elections will not only aim to fill the vacated sheriff’s position but also will include the District 2 seat on the Spartanburg City Council. These elections will coincide with regularly scheduled nonpartisan municipal and school board elections, allowing voters to engage in multiple decision-making processes on the same day.
In the special election, all Spartanburg County voters will cast ballots for the sheriff’s position, whereas only residents of County Council District 3 will be permitted to vote for the council seat. The primary elections for the sheriff and county council positions are slated for August 5, 2025, with a potential runoff scheduled for August 19, 2025, should no candidate secure a majority.
The filing period for candidates wishing to run for County Council District 3 is set from June 6 to June 14, while the filing period for the sheriff’s race runs from June 13 to June 21. Filing fees are established at $6,138.89 for the sheriff’s office and $741.51 for County Council District 3, marking the cost of entering these races.
According to Spartanburg County Registration and Elections Director John Baucom, the arrangement for two partisan special elections at the same time is quite unusual, representing “an extraordinary level of unscheduled elections” during his two decades of service in this role. Early voting for the special elections is scheduled to begin on October 20 and conclude on October 31, 2025, allowing voters ample opportunity to participate ahead of Election Day.
Following the resignation of Sheriff Wright, Chief Deputy Jeffery F. Stephens has been appointed to serve in the role until the forthcoming special election, ensuring leadership continuity within the sheriff’s office during this transitional period.
Additionally, the municipal elections, which are nonpartisan, will also be held on November 4, 2025. Candidates for various city council positions, including Districts 4, 5, and 6, and the mayoral position held by Jerome Rice, are expected to file between August 1 and August 15, 2025. Should no municipal candidate receive a majority of votes, a runoff election will take place on November 18, 2025.
The dual nature of these elections underlines the significant changes within Spartanburg County’s leadership and governance structures. Voter engagement in these elections is critical, as the outcomes could substantially influence the direction and policies of local government moving forward.
As Spartanburg County prepares for these special elections, the focus now shifts to potential candidates and election procedures, with many residents anticipating who will step forward to fill these pivotal roles in the community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
South Carolina Solicitor David Pascoe Joins Republican Party
Chuck Wright Resigns as Sheriff of Spartanburg County
Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright Resigns Amid Investigation
Spartanburg County and City Council Prepare for Special Elections
Congressman Clyburn Hosts Town Hall at Wofford College
Sheriff Chuck Wright Returns Amid FBI Investigation
Spartanburg Residents to Receive Free Newspaper Samples
SpaceX Facility Officially Becomes City of Starbase
David Britt Leaves Spartanburg County Council for Public Service Commission
Spartanburg Hosts Jim Clyburn’s Town Hall Meeting
Additional Resources
- WYFF4: Spartanburg County Sheriff Special Election Dates
- Wikipedia: Elections in South Carolina
- Post and Courier: 2024 Primary Election Guide – Spartanburg County
- Google Search: Spartanburg County elections
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg County Candidates for 2024 Election
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Election
- Google News: Spartanburg County government
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
