One of the two candidates for Rock Hill mayor just ended his campaign
York County Councilman William “Bump” Roddey has dropped out of the race for mayor of Rock Hill, leaving incumbent John Gettys as the lone candidate this fall in the nonpartisan race.
Roddey filed on Aug. 7 to run, setting up a third consecutive contest between those two public officials. He’s now listed as a withdrawn candidate on the state elections office website. Filing for public office across York County closed on Friday.
Personal reasons like a recent bout with COVID and the need to support his son in college went into the decision, according to a statement that Roddey posted Friday to his Facebook page. Roddey will continue his public service, just not through the mayor’s office.
“I don’t need a ballot to fight for progress, opportunity and a stronger future for our families,” the statement said.
This fall is the fifth time Gettys has been on an election ballot, but the first time he’ll run unopposed. It’ll be less stressful that way, he told The Herald on Monday morning, but the lack of competition won’t change his approach.
“You’re campaigning every day when you’re an elected official,” he said.
Roddey’s decision all but guarantees a third term as mayor for Gettys. Only a petition or write-in candidate — both highly unusual routes to public office — could challenge Gettys now that the traditional filing window is closed. The mayoral seat in Rock Hill, like all municipal contests in the Rock Hill region, is a nonpartisan position.
While there won’t be a contest for mayor, Rock Hill voters will have several decisions to make. Former City Councilwoman Nikita Jackson and incumbent City Councilman Perry Sutton both filed for Ward 5. Nate Mallard and Sarah Vining filed for Ward 6.
Incumbent John Black is the only candidate who filed for Ward 4. Adam Skrzypczak filed for Ward 6, but then withdrew.
Roddey to continue on York County Council
Roddey is the longest-serving member of York County Council. He was first elected in 2010 and his current term runs through next year.
“I’m still on county council,” he told The Herald Monday morning. “That’s still the plan.”
Roddey has praised Rock Hill decisions in some areas but has been critical of city spending at times, too. For instance, Roddey wants to see more money from sports tourism go to citizens through programs like free youth sports registration. He also called for lower utility costs.
Some of the largest city financial decisions, like special tax districts for redevelopment or economic incentive packages to lure large companies, involve York County Council approval in some way. Roddey sees his county seat as a sort of check-and-balance role for the city.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Roddey said. “I think that’s be best, most effective thing I can do and still hold those over at the city of Rock Hill accountable for the decisions that they’ve made.”
The past couple of years brought a new county manager and new county council members. Roddey sees his institutional knowledge from more than a decade of service as important to Rock Hill residents and their neighbors outside the city.
“That leadership is still critically important to have,” Roddey said. “You just can’t replace experience and leadership.”
Gettys plans to campaign through service
Even without another option on the ballot, Gettys plans to campaign through constant work to improve the city, he said.
Big items this fall include marketing Palmetto Research Park, the former Carolina Panthers headquarters property off Exit 81 of Interstate 77. A new website to market the property just went live. A new regional park should break ground soon too. And several events for economic development or groundbreakings are expected this fall.
“It’s a busy fall, whether I’m in a campaign or not,” Gettys said. “It really won’t slow much.”
This story was originally published September 8, 2025 at 10:10 AM.
