York County Councilman Bump Roddey announces run for Rock Hill mayor in 2021
York County Councilman William “Bump” Roddey has officially announced his run for Rock Hill mayor in 2021.
Outside city hall Monday night, Roddey, who represents part of Rock Hill, told a crowd of about 50 supporters he’s keeping a promise he made four years ago when he lost the city’s mayoral race.
Roddey, who is currently serving his fifth term on county council, ran for mayor in 2017, when the city elected its first new mayor in two decades. Roddey lost to Mayor John Gettys by 515 votes in a runoff after neither candidate secured a majority in the city’s general election.
Following the runoff’s results, Roddey told his supporters: “I give you my promise — this is not the last time you’ll see Bump Roddey’s name on the mayoral ballot.”
Although filing for the city’s October general election does not open until July, Roddey said Monday night he’s entering the race.
Gettys has not yet made an official reelection announcement.
Roddey did admit he had some reservations about running again for mayor.
“Late September, early October, I got COVID and it put me on my deathbed,” Roddey told the crowd. “When I got off that deathbed...”
He paused and started to cry.
Roddey spent eight days in the hospital as a result of the virus.
“Take your time, brother” several supporters shouted. “Take your time.”
“I said whatever I wanted to do in life, I wasn’t going to wait,” Roddey continued. “And this is one of the things that I feel...Sorry.”
Roddey’s 14-year-old son, who was standing nearby, started to cry.
“This is one of those things that I feel like I’m here to do,” Roddey said. “If I didn’t put my name in the hat, God should’ve called me home that day.”
A tear fell down his face.
Roddey’s platform
Roddey, who said he recently moved his family inside the city limits for the mayoral race, also said if he were elected he’d work with the city’s police chief to address Rock Hill’s “issue with crime.”
“We all know Rock Hill is a great place to live, love, learn and laugh from nine to five, but from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. what’s going on out there in our streets?” Roddey told the crowd. “We need a mayor to be just as concerned about 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. as he is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. I’m that kind of mayor who’s concerned about this city 24 hours a day seven days a week.”
Rock Hill made national headlines last month for a mass shooting in which six people were killed by a Rock Hill man and former NFL player who authorities said later died by suicide. And weeks earlier, three shootings happened within the city in less than 24 hours.
“Make no bones about it — no, our mayor cannot stop someone from robbing a liquor store, cannot stop someone from killing someone, but he can show some concern and compassion for each and every incident that happens and victimizes this community,” Roddey said.
Roddey said he’d also ensure all areas of the city experience growth.
“There’s a lot of money being spent in Rock Hill, but let’s look at the reality of it,” he said. “A lot of money has been spent on the north side of Rock Hill. I represent the south side of Rock Hill and I feel like the south side of Rock Hill is just as deserving of those same amenities that we have at Riverwalk, at Manchester and at Cherry Park.”
Several in the crowd whistled and clapped.
“We want to bring those same amenities right back to this community,” Roddey said, pointing to the ground.
Rock Hill’s general election will take place on Oct. 19. Wards 4, 5 and 6 are also on the ballot for the 2021 election. The mayor is elected at-large and council members are elected by wards.
John Black currently represents Ward 4. Nikita Jackson represents Ward 5 and Jim Reno represents Ward 6.
The deadline to register to vote in the election is in mid-September.
This story was originally published May 11, 2021 at 8:53 AM.
