4 GOP primary candidates for Charleston Co. Sheriff to take the debate stage Thursday

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – All four Republican candidates vying to become the next Charleston County sheriff will take the debate stage on Thursday, less than two months from the primaries.

The candidates will answer questions written by various sheriffs from around the area; an important event as this is one of the first times voters will have the chance to see all of the GOP primary candidates for Charleston County sheriff on the same debate stage together.

Those four candidates taking the debate stage are Deputy Director of Public Safety for Folly Beach, Rocky Burke, who served as a first responder for nearly 50 years.

Retired, US Marine Corps Colonel, Greg Kitchens, who served as deputy sheriff under former Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon.

Mount Pleasant’s former police chief, Carl Ritchie, who served for nearly 30 years in law enforcement.

Captain in the North Charleston Police Department, Rick Keys, who served for close to 40 years.

Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride will moderate Thursday’s GOP debate. During the event, each candidate will have the chance to share their vision for Charleston County and answer a variety of questions on topics like leadership and morale within the sheriff’s department.

If you plan on going you could have the chance to talk to each candidate yourself. Each candidate will be set up at stations for a meet and greet session an hour before the debate starts.

News 2 talked with a member of the group organizing Thursday’s event, the Constitutional Conservatives of SC, Mamie Rand, who says a debate like the one on Thursday is vital because the choice for sheriff is one of her most important decisions on the ballot.

“This is a critical race,” she said. “To me, it’s more critical than any other thing we’re choosing, our congressmen, our congresswoman, our representatives, for this primary and then for the general election for Charleston County, this is critical,” said Rand.

The debate is open to the public and free to attend; it begins at 7:00 p.m. at the School House (720 Magnolia Road)