Clevenger concedes to Rhyne in race for Spartanburg County Sheriff
The two faced off in a runoff in the Republican Party primary.
"The voters have spoken -- we just didn't have the numbers," Clevenger told the Herald-Journal at about 8 p.m.
"I can't say enough about the people who have supported me. I appreciate them more than they may ever know."
Clevenger was reelected as coroner in 2024. "We'll move forward as part of the team with a new sheriff," he said.
Following the resignation of former Sheriff Chuck Wright in May, Clevenger and Rhyne were among nine candidates to file for the Republican nomination for November's special election. There's no Democrat on the November ballot.
Rhyne and Clevenger previously served in the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office before taking different career paths.
Clevenger has served as Spartanburg County coroner since 2009.
Rhyne went to work with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, where he served as the lead public information and community engagement officer.
During the primary -- especially the two weeks before the Aug. 19 runoff -- Clevenger touted his experience while Rhyne described himself as "the change candidate."
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Voter turnout 'solid' in Spartanburg Republican primary runoff race
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