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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Solid turnout:' More than 25,522 votes cast in Spartanburg Republican primary; see results
In early voting, three candidates emerged in the lead for Spartanburg County sheriff. Reporting by the Spartanburg County Voter Registration and Elections had Rusty Clevenger out front with 1,690 votes. Bill Rhyne was close behind with 1,635. Robert Cheeks was in third place with 1,329. Other candidates in the race are Andy Clark, Adam Crisp, Nick Duncan, Bill Hollifield, Joseph Pilato, and Ric Stephens. Among that group, Nick Duncan had the most votes -- 397. Duncan took on former Sheriff Chuck Wright in last year's Republican Primary. Wright won re-election in 2024 but resigned several months ago amid controversy. Restoring trust in the sheriff's office was a major theme of the campaign, with candidates promising greater transparency and community engagement. 'I want someone who's going to stand up and be there for us – and who wasn't involved in the mess that went on,' said Corey Epley, who voted at the Converse Fire Station precinct. Epley believes voters have responsibility, too. 'It's our responsibility to make sure our county is taken care of,' he said. Ryan Blaney, who voted at McCracken Middle School, said he believes that taking part in local elections is 'the best way to make a difference.' He added, 'Part of being a citizen is voting.' Spartanburg County Director of Voting and Elections John Baucom said 25,522 votes were cast – a number he considered to represent a 'solid' turnout. As time approached for polls to close at precincts on the east side of Spartanburg -- where two Republican primary races for both Spartanburg County Sheriff and Spartanburg County Council District 3 were taking place -- residents were still making their way to vote. "I think it's important to vote. It's a privilege that we take for granted," said Steven Blanton, who voted at McCracken Middle School. The candidates have been locked in a vigorous race for sheriff, taking part in several forums, canvassing neighborhoods, and staying active on social media. Voting at the Converse Fire Station polling location was light during the afternoon. At about 5:30, 148 people voted out of a total of 1,248 registered voters in the precinct. One of them was Carl Hollifield. He was particularly interested in the special election for the county council. Six candidates were in the GOP primary race to replace David Britt, who served for more than 30 years before taking a role with the South Carolina Public Service Commission. Hollifield is concerned about growth on the east side of the county -- especially the construction of numerous subdivisions. "They're running out of room everywhere else," he said. Hollifield favored former Cowpens Town Council member and retired magistrate Paul Abbott. In addition to Abbott, candidates included Bryan Alverson, Tim Burrell, Caylus Goodson, and Jason Lynch. Blanton said he voted for Lynch. This story will be updated as results come in this evening. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Voters head to polls countywide to choose Spartanburg sheriff, results Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Candidates for Spartanburg County Sheriff: Meet Robert Cheeks
Nine candidates are running for the Republican nomination for Spartanburg County Sheriff. The GOP primary is scheduled for August 5, though early voting is underway. The special election to replace former Sheriff Chuck Wright will take place on November 4. In an effort to help readers know more about the candidates and their stances on key issues facing the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, the Herald-Journal sent four questions to each candidate – one tailored to his individual experience and three that are identical. Some answers have been edited lightly for length or clarification. Robert Cheeks Age: 36Occupation: 1st Lieutenant, Spartanburg County Sheriff's OfficeFamily: Divorced, five children You have served as 1st Lieutenant over the Uniform Patrol Division with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office. You've also worked on the issue of gang activity in the county. How have these experiences provided you with insights on key law enforcement challenges in the community and on the need for change in the sheriff's office? Spartanburg County has reached an unprecedented epidemic that directly affects our youth from 12- to 18-years-old. Gang violence and initiation begins as early as the sixth grade in every school in this county. By the age of 16, every child has been exposed to some type of gang-related ideology, and it is having devastating results, to include death. Based on your understanding of the situation in the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office currently, what would you do in your first month (or week or six months or year…) to improve morale among deputies and staff members? The first 100 days should truly be spent listening to every deputy at the Spartanburg County Detention Center and the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office. Everyone who wants to be heard deserves to be heard. And together we can create a plan going forward so we all will flourish. The subject of pay for deputies has been a focus of discussion in this race. Salaries vary from county to county and among various municipal police forces. What can be done to keep Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office salaries competitive with those of surrounding departments? It begins with support from Spartanburg County Council. We have the same number of deputies working the streets in 2025 that we had in 2001. How do we increase those numbers? Pay the deputies what they deserve. It's not only better for the deputies but for the quality of law enforcement services for the citizens. Since President Trump took office in January, there has been considerable discussion about immigration enforcement. ICE is set to receive a substantial increase in funding following the recent budget legislation that was signed into law. Candidates for Spartanburg County Sheriff have expressed support for ICE's efforts to target illegal immigrants. At the same time, some residents are worried about the potential presence of masked ICE officers using heavy-handed tactics in our community. Others are anxious about the possibility of ICE mistakenly detaining legal immigrants, naturalized citizens – or even U.S.-born citizens. How would you balance support for the federal crackdown on illegal immigration while protecting the rights of individuals and communities in Spartanburg County? The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office has had a working relationship with ICE for more than a decade. As Sheriff, one of your top priorities is ensuring that the rights of the people are not infringed upon. We have to ensure that everyone, regardless of their status, is afforded due process. This will ensure that everyone is afforded the same protections. This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Candidate for Spartanburg County Sheriff, Cheeks, answers questions Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Early voting in Spartanburg's GOP primary: Here's what to know
Early voting is underway in the Spartanburg County Republican Party primary for two November 4 special elections. Nine Republican candidates are in the mix to become Spartanburg County's next sheriff: Robert Cheeks, Andy Clark, Rusty Clevenger, Adam Crisp, Nick Duncan, Randy Hollifield, Joseph Pilato, Bill Rhyne, Ric Stephens The winner of the GOP primary will run unopposed. Meanwhile, there are six candidates seeking the Republican nomination for Spartanburg County Council District 3: Paul Abbott, Bryan Alverson, Tim Burrell, Caylus Goodson, Jason Lynch, and Stephen Mathis. The primary winner in the county council race will take on Democrat Kathryn Harvey and Forward Party candidate Sarah Gonzalez. The Republican Party primary will be held on August 5. But eligible voters may cast their ballot ahead of time – from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday until August 1 – at the Spartanburg County Administration Building, located at 366 North Church Street. More: Spartanburg sheriff candidates offer views on diversity hiring, ICE enforcement Voting is taking place in Conference Room 1. 'It's very important to note that this location is upstairs and voters should park on the Church Street side of the administration building, entering through the main entrance near the flagpoles,' said John Baucom, Director of Spartanburg County Voter Registration and Elections. Voters should bring a valid photo ID, Baucom said. He also encourages voters to visit to verify their address and review a sample ballot. The special election for Spartanburg County Sheriff follows the May 23 resignation of former Sheriff Chuck Wright amid controversy. Wright had been in office for more than 20 years. Jeffery Stephens is currently serving as interim sheriff. The special election for Spartanburg County Council will fill the seat David Britt held since 1991. He resigned in May to take a position with the South Carolina Public Service Commission. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Early voting has begun in sheriff, county council GOP primaries Solve the daily Crossword
