4 Republican candidates vying to become the next Charleston County sheriff

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Voters in Charleston County will decide who they want to see on the ballot against incumbent Sheriff Kristin Graziano in November.

Four Republican candidates are vying for the spot during Tuesday’s primary. Each candidate said his background in law enforcement makes him the right person for the job.

Rocky Burke, Rick Keys, Greg Kitchens, and Carl Ritchie have all been serving the Lowcountry for decades.

Burke has served with several agencies across the Lowcountry, more recently on Folly Beach. Keys is currently serving as captain for the North Charleston Police Department, Kitchens previously served as a deputy at the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, and Ritchie was the longtime chief of the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

The four candidates were out in the community on Tuesday asking voters for their support.

“It’s an honor privilege, and the right to vote is one of the things that make our country special and I’m grateful to see the process happening,” said Kitchens.”

“I’ve been hitting all polling places today it’s been a slow turnout. But the turn out of the folks who have been there – it has been really nice to meet them and talk to them,” said Ritchie.

“I’ve been going to all the polling stations this morning and I’m really glad to see the turnout, and I hope that everybody has done their homework on all the candidates,” said Keys.

Burke was not available for comment.

Whoever wins Tuesday’s primary will compete against incumbent Kristin Graziano in the November election.