2 retired deputies join sheriff’s wife in Republican York County sheriff race
A pair of retired deputies will face the current sheriff’s wife in the June Republican primary for York County’s top law enforcement job.
Yet by Wednesday, there could be more.
Republican candidates have until Wednesday to file for York County sheriff after the county party reopened filing earlier this week. Multiple candidates means the possibility of a runoff after the June 11 Republican primary.
If no candidate gets 50 percent of the vote plus one on June 11, there would be a runoff of the top two vote-getters on June 25, said Alan Helms, York County Voter Registration and Elections director.
There is no limit to the number of Republican candidates who can file provided they meet the legal qualifications for the office, Helms said.
Three Republicans had filed as of Friday at 5 p.m. when the elections office closed, according to Helms and the S.C. Election Commission Website that tracks candidates statewide. No Democrat or anyone from another party filed for sheriff during regular filing March 16 through April 1.
The general election is Nov. 5.
Republican filing was reopened because current Republican Sheriff Kevin Tolson filed for the seat March 18, but withdrew from the race after his wife, Beth Bryant Tolson, filed as a Republican for the seat on the last day of filing on April 1. That left her as the one candidate, and South Carolina law allowed the party to reopen filing.
The public and several area elected Republicans pressured York County Republican Party leaders to reopen filing.
Who is officially running so far?
Chris Blevins became an official candidate Friday afternoon, a day after Heath Clevenger filed. Both Blevins and Clevenger recently retired as lieutenants after more than 25 years of service.
Blevins’ filing Friday came after his campaign signs were already put up Thursday throughout York County. Blevins, 52, has operated businesses since he retired.
The Herald first reported Monday that Clevenger was running even before the county Republicans re-opened filing in a vote by party leaders Tuesday night. Clevenger, 47, officially filed as a Republican Thursday.
Beth Tolson remains a candidate. The Herald was first to report her candidacy on April 1, and that Kevin Tolson was withdrawing from the race. She has more than 30 years experience in law enforcement, and is the daughter of former sheriff Bruce Bryant.
What’s at stake?
The sheriff is paid an annual salary of $209,260.83. The sheriff runs the county jail and has more than 300 employees in law enforcement and detention.
The sheriff’s office is separate from municipal police departments in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, York, Clover, and Tega Cay, and has countywide jurisdiction. York County has almost 300,000 residents.
In South Carolina, any registered voter can vote in one party primary in the county where they live. South Carolina voters do not register to vote as Republican, Democrat or unaffiliated as voters do in North Carolina and some other states.
What happens next?
Filing for the Republican nomination for sheriff ends Wednesday at noon. Other current and retired law enforcement officials have been talked about as potential candidates by party members.
The filing fee for sheriff is $7,770.43. The sheriff must have at least five years of law enforcement experience to hold the office under state law. The sheriff elected in November will take office in early 2025.
Kevin Tolson was first elected sheriff in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. He told The Herald on April 1 he plans to serve out the rest of his term before taking a job with a non-profit that assists first responders and law enforcement across the country.
