News Summary
Voters in Spartanburg County are gearing up for a pivotal sheriff runoff election on August 19, following the resignation of past officials. Early voting shows strong public interest with over 5,300 ballots cast. Nine candidates are vying for the position, with Bill Rhyne and Rusty Clevenger leading the way. Anticipation grows for the election as issues surrounding public trust in law enforcement come to the forefront, especially after previous controversies. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters are reminded to bring photo identification.
Spartanburg, SC – Voters in Spartanburg County are gearing up for a high-stakes runoff election for the position of sheriff on August 19. This special election follows the resignations of former Sheriff Chuck Wright and former Councilman David Britt, both of whom left their posts in May, creating an unprecedented “open” race for the sheriff’s seat.
Early voting has demonstrated a considerable public interest, with over 5,300 ballots cast before Election Day on August 5. According to data provided by Spartanburg County Elections Director John Baucom, this level of participation marks one of the most significant turnouts in a special election in recent memory, nearing the early voting turnout of the previous year’s primary election.
In total, 5,321 early ballots were submitted for this election. Last summer’s primary election recorded 6,610 early votes from a total of 31,401, which accounted for roughly 21% of the county’s registered voters. Currently, there are 207,905 active registered voters in Spartanburg County. The enthusiasm surrounding the sheriff’s race has arisen as nine Republican candidates vie for the position, while several candidates are contesting for Britt’s former council seat.
Given the large number of candidates, it is anticipated that a runoff will be necessary since a simple majority is required to secure the nomination. This expected runoff is scheduled for August 19, where Bill Rhyne and Rusty Clevenger will face off after securing the top two votes in the primary. Rhyne received 7,274 votes (28.3%), and Clevenger garnered 6,593 votes (25.6%), while Robert Cheeks finished third with 4,359 votes.
Rhyne has indicated his campaign will focus on a community-oriented policing strategy, whereas Clevenger plans to emphasize his extensive experience and engagement with the local community. Both candidates are keenly aware of the challenges facing the sheriff’s office, particularly in light of the recent investigations and public trust issues stemming from allegations against the former sheriff.
Voters are reminded to exercise patience on election day, with polling places open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Photo identification is required to vote and it is advisable for voters to bring their registration cards as well. There have been some temporary precinct changes; precinct 007 has relocated from Pine Street Elementary School to St. John’s Lutheran Church, and precinct 065 has moved from Roebuck Elementary School to Bethlehem Baptist Church.
The significance of this election is amplified as it marks the first time Spartanburg County residents will select a new sheriff since 2004. As public interest grows, early voting for the runoff is set for August 13-15, with the general election slated for November 4.
Overall, the coming days will be crucial for Spartanburg County voters as they prepare to participate in a pivotal election that not only affects law enforcement leadership but also addresses pressing public trust issues within the sheriff’s office itself.
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Additional Resources
- Goupstate: Spartanburg Sheriff Election Results
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg County, South Carolina
- WYFF: Spartanburg County Sheriff Election Results
- Google Search: Spartanburg Sheriff Election
- Fox Carolina: Spartanburg County Sheriff Election Open Tuesday
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Election
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg Sheriff Election Results
- Google News: Spartanburg Sheriff Election 2025
- WSPA: Results Spartanburg Co Special Election for Sheriff & County Council
- Spectrum Local News: Spartanburg County Sheriff Election
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.
