Belk, Breeden headed to June 25 runoff in York County sheriff Republican primary
Republicans Michael Belk and Tony Breeden will head to a runoff on June 25 after leading all night in the competitive York County sheriff’s primary. The two were just a percentage point apart.
At 11:30 p.m, Belk had over 26% of the vote, with 24,601 votes cast in all 100 precincts. Breeden had over 25%.
The first-place finisher needed more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff. Because there’s no Democratic competition, the face-off between Belk and Breeden in two weeks will select the next sheriff to take office in January 2025.
The runoff pits Belk, the deputy chief at the Rock Hill Police Department, against Breeden, who retired from Rock Hill police in 2022.
Here were unofficial the results., according to the S.C. Election Commission:
- Belk, the first-place candidate, had over 26% of the vote
- Second-place candidate Tony Breeden had over 25%
- Beth Bryant Tolson had around 18%
- Chris Blevins had 17%
- Heath Clevenger had 12%.
The runoff June 25
Both Belk and Breeden now will have to sway the thousands of voters — almost half of the total Tuesday night — who voted for the three candidates not in the runoff. And, they both have to convince supporters who already backed them Tuesday to go back out and vote again on June 25.
Plus, they need people who did not vote Tuesday to come out for a runoff election where the sheriff’s race will be the only one on the ballot.
All registered voters can vote in the runoff, said Alan Helms, York County elections director. Democrats had no county primary, which means all voters, whether they voted Tuesday or not, are eligible, Helms said.
Early voting for the runoff is June 20 and June 21 from 8:30 a.m to 5 p.m at the York County government center at 6 S. Congress St. in York, according to the York County Board of Voter Registration and Elections website.
Anyone with voter questions can call the elections office at 803-684-1242.
The runoff sheriff candidates
Belk, 53, has worked for Rock Hill police for 31 years. He rose through the ranks to be second-in-command at a department with more than 200 employees.
Belk said around 11:30 p.m. he appreciated the support from the community and was honored to receive the most votes. Belk said he looks forward to the runoff.
“Our team still needs those voters who showed up today — and a lot more — to show up again on the 25th,” Belk said. “It’s clear that York County wants an experienced sheriff that is a proven leader and tough on crime.”
Breeden, 55, retired as a patrol lieutenant in Rock Hill. He was a longtime SWAT member.
Breeden said he feels confident about being positioned for a runoff. He thanked those who voted for him Tuesday, and said a runoff will give voters a chance to look closer at the remaining candidates.
“Once they take a look at the candidates, I believe I will be the clear favorite,” Breeden said.
Meanwhile, Tolson, wife of current sheriff Kevin Tolson and daughter of former sheriff Bruce Bryant, trailed the top two candidates throughout the night. Retired deputy Blevins was close behind Tolson in fourth place.
In a statement to The Herald, Clevenger conceded he would not win or make a runoff late Tuesday.
“Unfortunately, tonight did not go the way we’d hoped it would,” Clevenger said. “Still, it was an honor getting to know the voters of York County in these past few months”
When asked who he would endorse in the runoff, Clevenger declined comment.
Both Beth Tolson and Blevins told The Herald Wednesday they are endorsing Belk in the runoff.
The sheriff earns $209,261 per year and serves a four-year term.
York County sheriff primary
The Republican winner is almost assured to win the November general election and take office in January because there are no Democratic or other party candidates.
Current sheriff Kevin Tolson filed for re-election March 18, but withdrew from the race when filing ended April 1 — when his wife filed for the job. He supported his wife’s bid for sheriff. State law allowed the party to extend filing because there was only one candidate left after the withdrawal of Kevin Tolson.
The sheriff’s office has than 300 employees in law enforcement and detention. The sheriff has countywide jurisdiction, but is separate from municipal police departments in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, York, Clover and Tega Cay. The annual budget for the sheriff’s office is around $55 million, York County documents show.
The sheriff’s office has its own lab for DNA and drugs and and other forensic testing, and operates units that include patrol, detectives, traffic, and other specialized services.
This story was originally published June 11, 2024 at 8:06 PM.
