News Summary
Early voting has commenced for the Spartanburg County Republican Party primary, essential for filling the Sheriff and County Council positions. With nine candidates in the race for Sheriff and six for County Council District 3, voter engagement is high. The primary election is scheduled for August 5, 2025, following significant resignations that necessitated these elections. Voting is available until August 1, with a runoff on August 19 if no majority is achieved. Concerns regarding law enforcement issues have been prominently discussed during ongoing campaigns.
Spartanburg, SC – Early voting has begun for the Spartanburg County Republican Party primary, which includes important races for Sheriff and County Council positions, with the primary election scheduled for August 5, 2025. These elections arise from recent resignations and aim to fill significant gaps in local leadership.
A total of nine candidates are competing for the position of Spartanburg County Sheriff. The candidates are:
- Robert J. Cheeks
- Andy Clark
- Rusty Clevenger
- Adam Crisp
- Nick Duncan
- Randy Hollifield
- Joseph A. Pilato
- Bill Rhyne
- Ric Stephens
The winner will run unopposed in the general election, highlighting the significance of this primary in determining the county’s future law enforcement leadership.
In a separate race, six candidates are vying for the Republican nomination for Spartanburg County Council District 3:
- Paul Abbott
- Bryan Alverson
- Tim Burrell
- Caylus Goodson
- Jason Lynch
- Stephen Mathis
The primary winner will face Democrat Kathryn Harvey and Forward Party candidate Sarah Gonzalez in the general election.
Early voting is available to residents from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, until August 1, 2025. Voting takes place at the Spartanburg County Administration Building located at 366 North Church Street in Conference Room 1. Voters are encouraged to use the Church Street parking lot and to enter through the main entrance by the flagpoles. A valid photo ID is required to cast a vote.
In the background of these elections, the need for a special election for Spartanburg County Sheriff arose after the resignation of former Sheriff Chuck Wright on May 23, 2025, following controversies that overshadowed his more than 20 years in office. Currently, Jeffery Stephens serves as the interim sheriff. Likewise, the special election for County Council District 3 became necessary after the resignation of David Britt, who had been on the council since 1991.
If no candidate in the primary receives a majority of the votes, a runoff election is set for August 19, 2025, with early voting scheduled from August 13 to 15, ensuring ample opportunity for voters to participate in this pivotal decision-making process.
Different candidates for sheriff have expressed their priorities during public forums, addressing key issues such as enhancing deputy recruitment, restoring community trust, increasing salaries, and retaining skilled staff. The current investigation into the sheriff’s office by both the FBI and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has heightened the focus on these discussions.
Throughout the campaign, candidates have highlighted concerns regarding low morale among deputies and the urgency of addressing salaries for law enforcement personnel. Communication with the county council has emerged as a vital topic for candidates seeking to secure necessary funding for operation improvements. There have also been differing views on civil asset forfeiture practices and concerns about overcrowding in the detention center, all of which impact the overall effectiveness of law enforcement in the area.
Moreover, immigration issues have gained attention, with multiple candidates expressing their commitment to collaborating with federal officials to deal with illegal immigration within the county.
The early voting process, coupled with public forums, has drawn significant interest from the community, particularly due to the unprecedented number of candidates. A recent debate forum attracted around 750 attendees, tackling various issues related to law enforcement and community safety, underscoring the public’s engagement in these upcoming elections.
As Spartanburg County residents prepare for these critical votes, the outcome of this primary election could have lasting implications on local governance and law enforcement in the years to come.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Spartanburg Republican Party Offers Free Sheriff Candidate Forum
Spartanburg County GOP Shifts Sheriff Debate to Free Event
Spartanburg County Council Cuts Sheriff’s Office Aviation Budget
Eight Candidates Compete for Spartanburg County Council Seat
Candidates Enter Race for Spartanburg County District 3
Keishan Scott Wins Special Election in South Carolina
Wofford College Hosts Civil Discourse Event
David Pascoe Switches Party Affiliation to Republican
Spartanburg County to Hold Special Election for Sheriff
Spartanburg County to Hold Special Elections
Additional Resources
- Greenville Online: Early voting has begun in Sheriff and County Council GOP primaries
- Spectrum Local News: Spartanburg Sheriff Election
- Tryon Daily Bulletin: Nine Republicans compete in Spartanburg County Sheriff primary
- Go Upstate: Spartanburg County Sheriff Candidates Forum
- Fox Carolina: Spartanburg County Republican Party Candidate Forum
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg County, South Carolina
- Google Search: Spartanburg County Sheriff Election
- Google Scholar: Spartanburg County elections
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spartanburg
- Google 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.
