Several Lowcountry sheriffs among 22 statewide endorsing Wilson for governor

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - Nearly two dozen sheriffs across South Carolina have joined together to endorse Attorney General Alan Wilson for governor in the 2026 election.

Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie, Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis, Dorchester County Sheriff Sam Richardson, Beaufort County Sheriff PJ Tanner, Colleton County Sheriff Buddy Hill Jr. and Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver are among the 22 top county law enforcement leaders who are supporting Wilson’s bid for governor, a release from Wilson’s campaign states.

The sheriffs issued a joint statement on Wilson’s candidacy:

The other sheriffs listed as endorsing Wilson include:

• Abbeville County Sheriff Ray Watson
• Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller
• Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey
• Chesterfield County Sheriff Campbell Streater
• Darlington County Sheriff Michael August
• Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis
• Greenwood County Sheriff Dennis Kelly
• Jasper County Sheriff Chris Malphrus
• Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile
• Laurens County Sheriff Don Reynolds
• Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon
• McCormick County Sheriff Chad Cox
• Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster
• Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw
• Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship
• Saluda County Sheriff Josh Price

Wilson launched his gubernatorial bid last month in Lexington County. Upstate Sen. Josh Kimbrell announced he would run for governor days later in Spartanburg County. South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette made her announcement one week ago in Greenville County.

On the Democratic side, state Rep. Jermaine Johnson formed an exploratory committee around a possible run for governor.