The race to replace Sheriff Michael Hunt heats up Tuesday with the Republican primary contest featuring a heavily-endorsed public safety captain against two challengers with law enforcement experience and their own fan bases.
Aiken Public Safety Capt. Marty Sawyer, backed a year ago by the retiring sheriff and a host of other county leaders, is facing off against Ed Wilson, a seasoned law enforcement professional who owns Georgia-Carolina Bail Bonds, and retired ACSO deputy Stuart Prettel, who has served as an S.C. state constable since 1977.
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Capt. Sawyer feels good about his chances on Tuesday. He’s been a busy candidate, talking to neighborhood groups, social clubs, homeowner associations, and men’s clubs. Campaign mailers with his messages have been hitting mailboxes for a while.
“Why am I the best qualified to be sheriff? Number one, I can go in that office on day one with a minimal learning curve and take that department in the direction I want to go,” he said. “I am the only one active in law enforcement since the mid-90s.”
He said he knows all the state statutes, and federal reporting laws, and can dig in from the start.
Sawyer’s main goal is to make and keep Aiken County a safe place to live, visit, play and travel. He plans to get there by focusing on the quality of employees since the better the sheriff’s office staff is, the better service people will get when they call for help.
Secondly, he pledges transparency and accountability to residents and his staff. And thirdly, he plans to work on community engagement, getting people to assist the sheriff’s office.
“I will be a sheriff for every citizen of this county, whether you are rich or poor, Black or White, male or female,” Sawyer said. “And I will do that by being an active sheriff, by being out in the community.”
Lastly, he plans on having a citizen’s advisory committee comprised of people from every area of the county with regular meetings to get input and advice.
Meanwhile, Ed Wilson has been all over the county, talking to various groups and even fire departments. He’s received a lot of positive feedback.
“They are already calling me the sheriff, you know,” he said. “I think I am doing pretty well in the polls.”
When he talks to the community, Wilson emphasizes the need for change and uses a familiar-sounding MAGA refrain, except “Make Aiken Great Again.”
That means no good old boy system and “somebody who is going to be there for the people,” he said.
Wilson highlights his history of serving in the military, years working in law enforcement in Texas, Richmond County, Sardis, and undercover narcotics work. Even more, Wilson has a heart for helping people, something that he would carry into office if elected sheriff.
He recalls an old man coming into the bail bonds office and talking about his walker breaking. Wilson went to Walmart, bought a new walker, put it together, and sent the man on his way. He frequently helps families at Christmastime and donates to the Aiken Animal Shelter.
“My goal is to make Aiken a safe place to live,” Wilson said.
He aims to prioritize employees and the jail, get new technology, and ensure anyone hired is mentally fit to perform their duties.
“And I want community engagement. If the communities see something, say something, and we will check it out,” Wilson said.
As for Stuart Prettel, he’s been running a low-key campaign and did not respond to requests for an interview. He was also unreachable by at least one TV station.
But his website says his unwavering commitment is to ensure that the citizens of Aiken County feel safe and secure, whether they are in the comfort of their homes or venturing out into the community.
Prettel has “dedicated his life to public service, with a career spanning over four decades as a Police Officer, Deputy, and SC State Constable since 1977.”
The Republican primary winner will face Democrat Lucas Grant in the general election. The winner of the general election will replace Michael Hunt. Early voting will continue until June 7. On election day, June 11, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
