‘I’m running, period.’ Why a retired SC deputy could shake up York County sheriff race
A retired deputy announced a run for York County sheriff Sunday— about a week after the incumbent decided to withdraw and the sheriff’s wife filed for the position.
Heath Clevenger, a 47-year-old Rock Hill Republican, posted his candidacy on Facebook and confirmed his intent to run to the Herald. He retired as a lieutenant from the sheriff’s office in December 2022 after 25 years of law enforcement service, which included supervising special operations and working as SWAT commander. He now works in construction.
“I’m running, period,” Clevenger told The Herald in a phone interview Monday afternoon. “I’m running even if it is as an independent.”
Incumbent Kevin Tolson, a Republican, filed for re-election on March 18, but formally withdrew from the race April 2, according to a public document posted on the S.C. Election Commission website. Republican Beth Bryant Tolson, the sheriff’s wife, filed for election on April 1 — the last day of the filing period.
Because filing is closed, Clevenger faces more difficult paths to winning the sheriff’s seat.
He prefers to run on the Republican ballot if the GOP reopens filing — something apparently allowed under state law after Kevin Tolson withdrew. If that does not happen, Clevenger said the next best option would be to collect signatures for a run as an independent candidate. The third option would be to run as a write-in, Clevenger said.
“I would like to provide a qualified option,” Clevenger said about why he’s running.
Kevin Tolson told The Herald he is supporting his wife’s run for sheriff.
Why can filing be re-opened?
No other candidates besides Beth Tolson and Kevin Tolson filed for sheriff before April 1, according to York County elections officials and the S.C. Election Commission Website list of candidates. But state law provides for a situation exactly like what’s happened with the Tolsons.
The state law on re-opening filing states: “If, after the closing of the time for filing the documents required pursuant to this section, there are not more than two candidates for any one office and one or more of the candidates dies, or withdraws, the state or county committee, as the case may be, if the nomination is by political party primary or political party convention only may, in its discretion, afford opportunity for the entry of other candidates for the office involved.”
The county elections office would be required to administer any extension of filing, said Alison Mallard, public relations and training coordinator for the office.
There are no write-in candidacies in primaries because the candidates run for the party’s nomination, Mallard said. So, any write-in campaigns would only be relevant for the general election.
York County elections officials said Monday the office hasn’t received documentation about Clevenger’s candidacy or any other potential candidate for sheriff. The office also has not received any information from the York County Republican Party about re-opening filing, Mallard said.
Nikita Jackson, York County Democratic Party chair, said Monday she has not been contacted any sheriff candidates about their interest.
Efforts to reach Larry Barnett, York County Republican Party chair, were unsuccessful Monday.
The sheriff is a four-year term and is paid an annual salary of $209,260.83. The sheriff also runs the county jail. It has more than 300 employees in law enforcement and detention.
Kevin Tolson was first elected sheriff in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. Tolson said he would serve out the rest of his term when he announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 election. The new sheriff would take office in early 2025.
