AIKEN, SC (WRDW/WAGT) – In the race for Aiken County sheriff, Republican Marty Sawyer won against Democrat Lucas Grant.

As of Wednesday morning, Sawyer won with 63.3% of the vote while Grant received 36.7% of the vote.

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

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

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

In 1985, he joined the GVW Volunteer Fire Department. In 2000, he left with the rank of captain.

Sawyer started as a public safety officer with 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 overseeing adult and juvenile investigations, narcotics, victim services, property and evidence, and school resource officers. , according to his campaign website.

On his website, he states that he aims to lead Aiken County with prepared enforcement, transparency and accountability, and an engaged community.

“I have learned a lot in my 34 years working at the Aiken Department of Public Safety and I am proud of the work we have accomplished. I believe this experience has prepared me to become your sheriff,” his website states.

On Grant campaign websiteHe said there are other things to focus on: special cases, road safety, recruiting, training and intelligence units.

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

“I want to make sure that when parents send their children to school, they know that they will have an agent in those schools who will protect their children, teachers, who will build those relationships and have positive impacts,” he said. he declared.

Sawyer said he wishes the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office had more visibility.

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

Also on the ballot…

Aiken County voters voted yes to a sales tax for schools.

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

It will add more classrooms and improve the quality of life to keep pace with the growth of communities and other districts.

Improvements to Silver Bluff, North Augusta Middle and South Aiken High are just some of the big projects seeking funding.

District leaders say they plan to inject about $285 million into the district.

School officials highlighted the challenges for the future of school stability throughout Aiken County.

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

Also in Aiken County Schools, a seat is open for School Board District 8.

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

Also for District 8, Republican James Hank Hankinson and Democrat PK Hightower faced off for a council seat.

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

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