News Summary
A special election for the Spartanburg County Sheriff will be held on November 4, following the resignation of Sheriff Chuck Wright. An initial primary will take place on August 5, with candidate filing from June 13 to June 21. The FBI is currently investigating the Sheriff’s Office, highlighting the need for accountability in law enforcement. Eight candidates are vying for the position, each advocating for reform and community engagement.
Spartanburg, South Carolina – A special election for the Spartanburg County Sheriff position will take place on November 4, following the resignation of former Sheriff Chuck Wright. The resignation, which occurred in May, was prompted by health concerns and ongoing controversies surrounding the Sheriff’s Office, which is currently under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
As residents prepare for the upcoming election, an initial primary election is scheduled for August 5. If no candidate secures a majority in the primary, a runoff election will be held on August 19. Candidate filing for the special election is set to begin on June 13 and will close on June 21. Early voting for the primary will occur from July 21 to August 1, while early voting for the special election will be conducted between October 20 and October 31.
The South Carolina Governor, Henry McMaster, appointed Jeffery Stephens as the interim sheriff following Wright’s resignation. Stephens has chosen not to pursue a candidacy in the special election, leaving the field open for a diverse group of eight candidates vying for the position.
Candidate Profiles
The eight candidates running for sheriff include:
- Adam Crisp: A former deputy at Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and current Lyman Town Council member, Crisp advocates for leadership that restores trust and prioritizes community safety.
- Ric Stephens: A detective supervisor within the Sheriff’s Office, with previous experience at the United Nations and the U.S. State Department, Stephens is focused on improving road safety and community conditions.
- Bill Rhyne: A former U.S. Marine, deputy, and South Carolina Highway Patrol officer, Rhyne emphasizes community safety and favors a respect-based approach over political maneuvering.
- Gregg Satterfield: Currently the chief of police for the Town of Duncan, Satterfield brings over 20 years of law enforcement experience and plans to run for sheriff.
- Nick Duncan: A former investigator with the Sheriff’s Office, Duncan previously ran against Wright in the 2024 Republican primary, seeking a fresh perspective for the department.
- Randy Hollifield: A law enforcement veteran since 1982, Hollifield has been a longstanding member of the Sheriff’s Office and formerly led its top-ranked traffic division.
- Andy Clark: A retired member of both the City of Spartanburg police department and the Sheriff’s Office, Clark aims to engage the community and promote transparency within law enforcement.
- Joseph Hawes: The police chief of Pacolet and a former staff member at the U.S. Department of Defense, Hawes emphasizes the need to rebuild trust with the community as a focal point of his campaign.
Background Context
The resignation of Chuck Wright, who faced scrutiny over various controversies, has opened the door for fresh leadership in the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office. The ongoing FBI investigation serves as a backdrop to the election, highlighting the need for accountability and reform within the department. The candidates represent a mixture of backgrounds in law enforcement and community service, each bringing unique perspectives and priorities to the table as they campaign for the critically important role of sheriff.
The significance of this election is heightened by the community’s desire for transparency, safety, and trust in local law enforcement. As voting dates approach, residents are encouraged to learn about the candidates and their platforms to make informed decisions.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4: Spartanburg County Sheriff Candidates Race
- Goupstate: A Fifth Candidate for Spartanburg County Sheriff Emerges
- Fox Carolina: Special Election Dates for Spartanburg Co. Sheriff Announced
- MSN: Another Former Law Enforcement Professional Enters the Race for Spartanburg County Sheriff
- WSPA: Dates Set for Special Election for Spartanburg Co. Sheriff
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg County, South Carolina
- Google Search: Spartanburg County Sheriff Election
- Google Scholar: Spartanburg County Sheriff
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spartanburg
- Google News: Spartanburg Sheriff Election
