Leaders support Carl Ritchie for Charleston County sheriff | Palmetto Politics

Charleston's top prosecutor has endorsed former Mount Pleasant Police Chief Carl Ritchie ahead of next week's Republican runoff in the sheriff's race, throwing his support behind him just days before the June 25 vote.

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said the former leader and current City Council member demonstrated integrity and unwavering commitment to his work throughout his 33 years of experience in local law enforcement.

He has proven himself to be a “strong, smart leader” who has the courage to lead through his eight years at the helm of Mount Pleasant, Wilson said at a June 19 news conference in front of the Early Monument. speakers at the city's Memorial Waterfront Park. .

“I know I can trust his wisdom and his advice,” she said, later adding that “the community has every reason to trust him.”

She's not the first local Republican to support Ritchie, who faces retired Col. Greg Kitchens in the GOP runoff.

Other Ritchie supporters include former Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon and current Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie. Former U.S. Attorney Peter McCoy also supports Ritchie, according to a June 19 announcement.

A group of law enforcement and first responders at the news conference have a total of 1,000 years of combined local experience, Ritchie said.

Kitchens worked as a deputy with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office from 1992 to 1998 before spending the majority of his career in the Marine Corps. He says his status as a foreign politician is necessary to rebuild the sheriff's department.

Former sheriff's candidate Rick Keys, who finished third in the first round of voting on June 11, threw his support behind Kitchens on June 14, calling him one of the best cops and leaders he has known in his career .

The other candidate also running, Rocky Burke, refuses to give his support in the second round. He said he would support the Republican nominee in November.

Ritchie disagrees that an outside perspective is necessary. He said law enforcement has changed in the years since Kitchens left the profession and asked voters to “get it right” in the June 25 runoff.

“Look at both candidates and compare us,” Ritchie said after hearing from Wilson and other supporters. “I stayed relevant and current.”

The Republican candidate will face incumbent Sheriff Kristin Graziano, a Democrat, in the November general election.