BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.—The Berkeley County Sheriff’s race has gotten a little more interesting.
On Tuesday and surrounded by family, Melvin Bellew officially announced in front of the Berkeley Co. courthouse his plans to run as a write-in candidate for sheriff in the upcoming general election in June.
“I think I have better qualifications than the two that are actually running,” stated Bellew. “I’ve been with the police department. I’ve been a manager with a security company. I’ve managed over 150 people. The career that I’ve chosen and have followed throughout my life—I don’t think they can touch it.”
Bellew spent 15 years as the police chief for Hanahan. Prior to that, he spent a little more than a decade with the Charleston Police Department. According to Bellew, who calls Goose Creek home, he’s running because he’s not happy with the choices voters currently have.
“When only nine percent of this county’s voters turn out to replace the sheriff, I believe most residents are not excited about their choice of candidates. Therefore, I am entering the race to give voters a chance to change things in law enforcement in this county,” stated Bellew.
As it currently stands, voters will choose between Republican candidate Duane Lewis, the deputy chief of law enforcement at Santee Cooper, and Democratic candidate Anthony Smalls, a sergeant at the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.
“For probably about 40 years I have witnessed some of the politics, political control and actions of the sheriff’s department. Me, I’m willing to represent all the people—democrat, republican, it doesn’t matter,” stated Bellew. “I don’t believe law enforcement should be in politics, but unfortunately it has been. I don’t want to see it continue on. I think that’s what voters are going to get if that’s the way they vote.”
Traditionally, write-in candidates have not had a lot of success at the polls. However, Bellew remains optimistic about winning the election.
“I know I’m the underdog, but that’s how Strom Thurmond actually first got elected to the U.S. Senate,” explained Bellew.
Bellew announced his candidacy with a little less than a month away until the general election.
“I was waiting and hoping that they would have a candidate that could actually be able to run it and had the experience and qualifications, and I just don’t see it,” stated Bellew. “I probably figured it would have been Mr. Isgett or possibly Brian Adams.”
Since neither of those are an option on the upcoming ballot, Bellew says that’s where he comes in.
“I know a lot of people throughout Berkeley County because I grew up here. I want to get the message out that I’m willing to meet with any group, any organization or do any kind of debate that they want to go for,” stated Bellew. “Just to get my name out there, I’m going to be working hard at it.”
The general election for Berkeley County sheriff will take place on June 9th.
