Wednesday Evening: Lexington County Sheriff Candidate Garry Rozier Loses His Appeal to Be on June’s Ballot
Lexington, SC
Garry Rozier, a candidate for the position of Lexington County Sheriff, suffered a significant setback on Wednesday evening as he lost his appeal to be back on the June 2024 primary ballot. The controversy arose over his residency status in Lexington County.
The Residency Question
Allegations surfaced questioning Rozier’s eligibility to run, as he owns a home in Newberry County but claims a rented house in the Chapin area of Lexington County as his residence. According to Rozier, his move to Lexington County was to be closer to friends and leisure activities that he enjoys. This dispute has raised questions about his primary place of residence, which is a key requirement for running for office in South Carolina.
State law stipulates that a candidate for an elected position must live in the county they are seeking to represent, a year before any election. Rozier counters these allegations by asserting that he moved to Lexington County sufficiently early to meet this condition for the November General Election. However, the matter of contention is whether he met this requirement a year prior to the June 2024 Republican primary.
The Law’s Standpoint
To support his case, Rozier provided evidence of his Chapin residency, including changes to his driver’s license, voter registration address, and USPS address. He admitted, however, to failing to update the tax records in Newberry County which would indicate his home there as a non-owner occupied property, thereby disqualifying him from the 4% owner-occupied tax rate.
The Judgement
Despite his protests and the evidence furnished, the presiding judge ruled against Rozier, accepting the major discrepancy in Rozier’s Newberry County tax documentation as proof of a breach in residency requirements. Rozier, feeling unfairly treated, compared his situation to that of Donald Trump trying to receive a fair hearing in a Democrat-dominated New York City.
The Next Step
Regardless of this setback, Rozier has declared his intention to run as an independent candidate in the General Election. While he will not appear on the June primary ballot, residents will still find his name as a choice for Lexington County Sheriff on the Independent ticket in November. He urged voters to exercise their right to vote for each candidate individually, as opposed to voting for all members of a party.
Public Response
Rozier said that this development has resulted in an outpouring of communication from residents supporting his dealings with the residency dispute and affirming their continued support for his candidacy. Many believe this development was a political move by the incumbent’s team who were wary of Rozier’s rising popularity.
Fighting On
Despite these obstacles, Rozier is undeterred and is actively continuing his campaign. For those who want to learn more about him, Rozier’s campaign details and contact information can be found online and on his social media platforms
Koon and Rozier, along with the other candidates, await the voters’ verdict in the upcoming Lexington County Sheriff elections, promising a stirring few months ahead.
Source: HERE News Network
Author: HERE News
