Republican Marty Sawyer wins Aiken County sheriff’s race

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - In the Aiken County sheriff’s race, Republican Marty Sawyer won against Democrat Lucas Grant.

On Wednesday morning, Sawyer won with 63.3% of votes while Grant received 36.7% of votes.

Current Sheriff Michael Hunt is retiring, and Sawyer and Grant were looking to fill his seat.

“I’m proud to call Aiken County home; that’s why I’ve dedicated my life to protecting our families. But it’s time for me to step up and serve you in a larger role. I’m running for sheriff to give this county the efficient, engaged, and well-prepared law enforcement operation they deserve,” said Sawyer’s campaign website.

Sawyer has over 38 years of experience in public service, according to his campaign website.

In 1985, he ed the G.V.W. Volunteer Fire Department. In 2000, he departed with the rank of captain.

Sawyer started as a public safety officer at the Aiken Department of Public Safety in 1989, where he worked in the patrol division for eight years. After assignments in the special operations and narcotics divisions and the ATF Rage Task Force, Sawyer was promoted to Captain of Investigations in 2012. His duties currently include supervising adult and juvenile investigations, narcotic investigations, victim services, property and evidence, and school resource officers, according to his campaign website.

On his website, he says he aims to lead Aiken County with prepared enforcement, transparency and ability, and an engaged community.

“I have learned a lot in my 34 years working in the Aiken Department of Public Safety, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done. I’m confident this experience has prepared me to serve as your sheriff,” his website says.

On Grant’s campaign website, he said there are other things to focus on — case focus, highway safety, recruiting, training and intelligence units.

He wanted to start with the schools, he told News 12 Tuesday.

“I want to make sure when parents send their kids to school, they know that they will have an officer in those schools protecting their children, teachers, building those relationships and positive impacts,” he said.

Sawyer said he wants the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office to have higher profile.

“No. 1 is getting visibility and more deputies in the rule part of Aiken County,” he told News 12 Tuesday. “All I’ve heard from Windsor, New Holland, Jackson and Beech Island, they never see deputies, so having visibility – visibility deters crime.”

Also on the ballot ...

Aiken County voters voted yes to a school penny sales tax.

So, how will 1% sales tax, known as “the penny tax,” benefit schools?

It will add more classrooms and quality of life improvements to keep up with growing communities and other districts.

Improvements to Silver Bluff High School, North Augusta Middle and South Aiken High are just some of the big projects looking to get funded.

District leaders say they’re projecting to pour about $285 million into the district.

School officials stressed what’s at stake for the future of the school’s stability throughout Aiken County.

“Aiken County is growing, and so we need to be prepared to grow with it. And so, this penny sales tax is how we address our capital needs. And so if we don’t have a plan in place to expand our current schools, then we’re going to fall behind,” said Aiken County Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy.

Also in Aiken County schools, one seat is open for school board District 8.

John Bradley won the seat against Melanie Pniewski. On Wednesday morning, Bradley won with 53.5% of voters over Pniewski’s 46.5%.

Also for District 8, Republican James Hank Hankinson and Democrat P.K. Hightower went hear-to-head for council seat.

Hightower won the vote against Hankinson. Hightower received 51.6% of votes over Hankinson’s 48.4%.

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