News Summary
Bill Rhyne has won the Republican primary runoff for sheriff of Spartanburg County with a decisive 73% of the votes. Rhyne’s victory is significant as there are no Democratic challengers in the upcoming special election, positioning him as the likely new sheriff. His campaign focused on transparency and community engagement amidst scrutiny of the sheriff’s office. Rhyne, with a robust background in law enforcement, aims to usher in reforms and foster a cooperative environment in local law enforcement, marking a pivotal change in leadership.
Spartanburg, SC – Bill Rhyne has emerged victorious in the Republican primary runoff for Spartanburg County sheriff, securing 18,501 votes, which represents 73% of the total ballots cast. His opponent, Rusty Clevenger, received 6,530 votes in the election held on August 19, 2025. With a total of 25,078 ballots cast, this runoff saw a voter turnout of 12% among Spartanburg County’s 208,868 registered voters.
Rhyne’s victory is particularly significant as there will be no Democratic or independent challengers in the upcoming special election scheduled for November, making Rhyne the likely next sheriff of the county. His campaign emphasized a commitment to change within the sheriff’s office, which has faced scrutiny and investigation by state and federal authorities in recent months. In his victory speech, Rhyne expressed deep gratitude for the support of the voting public and highlighted the need for transparency and community engagement going forward.
The runoff election, which included prior early voting that attracted nearly 4,000 participants, marks a pivotal moment in Spartanburg County’s law enforcement history. Rhyne’s win represents the first time since 2004 that a new sheriff has been elected, following the resignation of former Sheriff Chuck Wright in May 2025. Early results indicated Rhyne opened a substantial lead from the start of the voting process, securing a decisive advantage in both absentee and in-person votes.
Upon conceding the race by 8 p.m. on the night of the election, Clevenger acknowledged Rhyne’s significant lead and expressed intentions to collaborate with him in the future. Clevenger, who has served as coroner since 2009, also thanked his supporters and took pride in the campaign he conducted.
Rhyne brings with him a wealth of experience and a passion for public service, having previously worked as a state trooper and as a deputy in Spartanburg County. His engagement with constituents and promise to treat everyone fairly were central themes in his campaign. The emotional highlight of his victory address included reflections on a health scare that reinforced his commitment to serving the community.
Rhyne’s leadership is anticipated to influence the sheriff’s office positively, ushering in a new era after a period fraught with challenges. Other former candidates from the primary, including Robert Cheeks and Andy Clark, publicly endorsed Rhyne, expressing their optimism regarding his approach to leading the office effectively.
The results of this runoff signify not only a change in leadership but also a hopeful perspective on improving the sheriff’s department. With strong community support and a clear vision, Rhyne is expected to initiate reforms and foster a cooperative environment in law enforcement across Spartanburg County.
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Additional Resources
- Go Upstate: Voter Turnout Solid in Spartanburg Republican Primary Runoff Race
- WYFF4: Spartanburg Sheriff Runoff Election Results
- WSPA: Bill Rhyne Wins Republican Primary Runoff for Spartanburg Co. Sheriff
- Fox Carolina: Bill Rhyne Becomes GOP Winner Spartanburg Co. Sheriff
- WYFF4: Rusty Clevenger Concedes Sheriff Race Spartanburg County
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg County, South Carolina
- Google Search: Spartanburg County sheriff elections
- Google Scholar: Spartanburg County sheriff
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina At A Glance
- Google News: Spartanburg elections
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.
