Greenville Co. Republican candidates discuss policies ahead of state primary

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) — Greenville County Republican candidates gathered in Landrum to speak with voters ahead of the statewide primary election.

A forum was held at Ebenezer Welcome Baptist Church on Monday. Candidates who are running for Congress, the state legislature, Greenville County Council and other county positions took part.

Several candidates agreed that growth is one of the biggest factors affecting Greenville County.

“The biggest concerns in our area are overgrowth and our roads,” Kelly Long, a candidate for County Council District 18, said.

“Everywhere I go, people tell me that Greenville is exploding in growth and traffic is a nightmare,” State Senator Tom Corbin, said.

Attention then turned to the race for sheriff. Incumbent Sheriff Hobart Lewis, who has led the department for the last four years, is being challenged by retired deputy Mike Fortner. Lewis discussed how his deputies work to protect the community

“Our murder rate is here down in Greenville County,” Lewis said.

“We realize the homeless population in Greenville is a huge problem,” he added. “We started a homeless response unit. We have about 1,800 homeless. The community action team and homeless response unit work hard to dismantle these encampments they set up on other people’s property.”

Lewis also discussed how drugs are affecting the county.

“Legalizing marijuana – we fought that,” Lewis said. “That’s a big deal in our county. A dispensary was going to come here to Greenville County. That’s not what we want.”

“We have an opioid response unit,” he added. “Our aim is to find those who are putting this poison on the street and lock them up.”

Fortner worked for the Greenville County Sheriff’s office for 29 years before he retired in 2022.

“I want to give you a more efficient and effective sheriff’s office,” Fortner said.

Fortner said he believes the sheriff’s office is understaffed. If elected, he said he would like the staff to double in size.

“I believe there are some positions inside the sheriff’s office that can be better served with civilian employees and move some sworn positions around to areas where they can be better used in sworn positions,” Fortner explained.

The statewide Republican and Democratic primaries will be held on Tuesday, June 11.

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