York County sheriff’s wife files to run for his job. Here’s why they won’t compete
The York County sheriff’s wife on Tuesday filed to run for the job after her husband decided to withdraw from this year’s election.
Beth Tolson, a 53-year-old who’s worked as a deputy and and investigator, is the wife of Sheriff Kevin Tolson. She filed as a Republican candidate for sheriff just minutes before filing for South Carolina elections closed Monday at noon, according to elections documents reviewed by The Herald.
Kevin Tolson, sheriff since election in 2016, had already filed for re-election in March. But he told The Herald he is going to withdraw and take a job with a nonprofit that offers support services to law enforcement officers.
“It has been my honor to serve this community,” the now-outgoing sheriff said Monday. “That service will continue on.”
He will remain sheriff through the end of his term that ends in early 2025.
Who is Beth Tolson?
Beth Tolson moved from the sheriff’s office, where she had been a deputy, to work as an investigator for the 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office after her husband was elected in 2016. She has been in law enforcement for 32 years. Her father, Bruce Bryant, was sheriff from 1996 to 2016.
“I have Kevin’s full support and want to serve the people of York County,” Beth Tolson told The Herald in a phone interview just minutes after she filed. “I always wanted to be the first female sheriff. Now I have that chance.”
Kevin Tolson said his wife has the law enforcement experience to handle the sheriff’s job, he said.
Sheriff Kevin Tolson to withdraw
Kevin Tolson said he plans to formally withdraw from the race this week. Besides the Tolsons, no other candidates from any party filed for the office, according to the South Carolina Election Commission website.
York County Voter Registration and Elections officials told The Herald Monday the deadline for any candidate to withdraw from the race and take their name off the ballot is April 19.
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.
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