Charleston County’s Republican Primary Headed to Runoff

In Charleston County, South Carolina, the race to secure the Republican nomination for the position of sheriff has now narrowed down, leading to a runoff election. Greg Kitchens and Carl Ritchie are expected to advance to this runoff, following results from the South Carolina Election Commission.

Primary Election Details

The unofficial results show that Greg Kitchens led the primary with 45% of the vote, closely followed by Carl Ritchie with 42%. All precincts have reported in. As per the election rules in South Carolina, a candidate must receive at least 50% of the vote to secure an outright win. In instances where no candidate crosses this threshold, the top two contenders advance to a runoff.

The rest of the votes were split among other candidates, more specifically, Rick Keys and Rocky Burke. Both Kitchens and Ritchie have extensive backgrounds in law enforcement, with Kitchens being a former deputy at the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and Ritchie serving as the longtime chief of the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

Looking Ahead to the Runoff Election

The runoff election is scheduled for June 25. The candidate who seizes victory will then go head-to-head with incumbent Sheriff Kristin Graziano in the November elections. Graziano was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Notably, Sheriff Graziano has made headlines as the first woman and openly gay person to serve as a sheriff in the state of South Carolina. She is looking to secure re-election despite a controversial first term. Her tenure has been of interest for both local and out-of-state observers, given her high-profile initiatives and the ensuing discourse.

Implications of the Runoff

The upcoming runoff holds significant implications for the political landscape of Charleston County. The ultimate victor of the Republican nomination will shape the November elections, determining who will guide law enforcement policy and procedures for the next few years in the county.

Charleston County’s runoff demonstrates how competitive and engaging local elections can be. It serves as a reminder that important decisions are often made at the local level. In this case, voters will not only select their preferred candidate, but in doing so, they will also shape the future direction and priorities of the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.