Michael August Photo by Bobby Bryant
By Bobby Bryant, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
Darlington County Sheriff Tony Chavis has picked up his first challenger in his 2020 re-election bid, and Chavis’ opponent says more challengers are preparing to join the race.
Michael August, who announced his campaign to seek the GOP nomination for sheriff over the weekend, said: “In the coming weeks, I predict there will be several other candidates to announce their intentions of running for sheriff. This should speak volumes that change is needed.”
“Darlington County is at a critical point in its history,” August told the crowd at his Saturday-afternoon news conference at the Courthouse. “ … We need a dedicated, hardworking, honest sheriff to ensure the welfare of our citizens. Too much is at stake for this call to go unanswered.”
Chavis was elected sheriff in 2016 as a Democrat.
August has said he has worked in law enforcement for more than 25 years, including a long career with the Darlington Police Department and a job with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
On August’s Facebook campaign page, he writes:
“I’ve been asked repeatedly … after announcing my intention to run for sheriff of Darlington County, ‘Why in Heaven’s name would you want to do that?’
“I believe I can do a better job than has been done by the current administration. I will not throw stones and I will not disparage the job they have done. However, I am firm in my conviction that I would be a better sheriff than the one we currently have in place in our county.
“ … The point I am making is that we can do better. Our county and its citizens deserve more than what has been offered so far. … All citizens, regardless of who they are or what their status is in the community, should be given an equal voice and equal attention. I will not hide from the task. … This is who I was born to be.”
