Leroy Ravenell and Bubba Johnson face off for third time in Democratic primary for sheriff

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – As the South Carolina primary approaches, the race for Orangeburg County sheriff is heating up, with less than a week to go.

The 2024 race pits current Sheriff Leroy Ravenell against challenger Bubba Johnson.

This will be Johnson and Ravenell's third time running for sheriff.

“My main priority is to keep people safe here in Orangeburg County, and we have done that, and we still have a lot of work to do,” Ravenell said.

“My goal as sheriff is simply to reduce this crime rate by at least 50 percent, so that we can at least improve the quality of life not only for our citizens, but also for our friends and visitors in this community,” Johnson said. .

Ravenell is from Santee, South Carolina. He graduated from Claflin University with a degree in sociology/criminality. He has been in law enforcement for 37 years, 35 of which were with the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office.

Ravenell started as sheriff in 2011 after winning a special election. Since then, he has won three consecutive elections.

The sheriff said if re-elected, he wants to continue to improve and advance technology while keeping officers certified.

“We still have a lot more technology and a lot of it is due to financial problems that we have like everyone else,” he said. “One of the things I'm proud of here at the Sheriff's Office is being able to retain law enforcement officers. Across the state and across the country, there is a shortage of law enforcement officers.

Ravenell's challenger, Johnson, is from Orangeburg and also graduated from Claflin University with a degree in criminal justice.

Johnson has 16 years of experience in law enforcement at the local, state and federal levels.

He is CEO of Valley Coaching & Logistics, a commercial driver training school.

Johnson said if elected, he wants to improve the quality of life in Orangeburg County by placing more deputies in the community.

“The purpose of the officers’ presence is to put pressure on criminal elements operating in our county that are causing problems in our communities,” he said. “Our current administration has approximately six deputies assigned to uniformed highway patrol on any given day. Well, as my plan calls for deploying at least 14 deputies in the different communities.

WIS News 10 spoke with voters earlier Wednesday and they said their main concerns are limiting gun violence and having a greater police presence throughout the county.

The race between Ravenell and Johnson will determine the Democratic nominee for sheriff.

But with no Republican opposition, the winner Tuesday will determine who serves as sheriff for the next term.

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