McCorkle, DeShields head to Spartanburg runoff while other incumbents retain seats (2024)

SPARTANBURG— One Spartanburg County Council race is headed to a runoff while the sheriff and two councilmen easily fended off challengers in the June 11 primary.

Here are the races and results:

Spartanburg County Council District 4

Runoff: Justin McCorkle and Grant DeShields

Incumbent Justin McCorkle is headed to a runoff with challenger and political newcomer and business owner Grant DeShields.

DeShields was the top vote-getter in the Republican primary, receiving 36.4 percent of the ballot to McCorkle's 35.7 percent. Frank Tiller got 27.9 percent.

DeShields campaigned on greater transparency for how the county spends money and taking a more comprehensive look at the area's infrastructure needs. He was critical of the rate of growth in the county and wanted to find a way to offer first responders a better benefits package.

In an interview, he thanked the voters for their support and his volunteers for spreading his message.

"Having never run for office before, we weren't sure how it would turn out," DeShields said. "We were very surprised and feel very fortunate to get the votes that we have."

He's planning to keep campaigning over the next two weeks until the runoff.

"We’ll have some discussions in the morning with how to go forward and convince other folks that we're the best candidate for the job," he added.

McCorkle, a real estate broker facing his first reelection, thanked the voters for exercising their rights as Americans. He knew there was a chance for a runoff.

"With three people, I’m not surprised of course," he said.

He faced two primary challengers as he sought a second term on County Council, campaigning on his work bringing broadband internet to rural parts of the county, getting funding for some infrastructure projects and advocating for "smart growth."

He said he wants to continue the work he's done on County Council to improve the county's infrastructure and expand broadband internet access.

"I’m appreciative of the support," McCorkle said. "I really want to continue to see these projects through, is my main reason for running again."

Early voting for the runoff starts June 19, and the runoff election will be held June 25.

Read about the District 4 candidates here.

Spartanburg County Sheriff

Winner: Chuck Wright

Long-serving sheriff Chuck Wright already had 17 years in law enforcement before he won his first race for sheriff in 2004, taking office in 2005. This year, he faced his first-ever primary challenge from Nick Duncan, one of his former corporals.

Duncan left the department to run against him and made transparency and fresh ideas the bedrock of his campaign. Meanwhile, Wright insisted that he's already transparent enough and said his experience makes him most qualified.

Wright won with 83.6 percent of the vote.

Read about the sheriff's office candidates here.

Spartanburg County Council District 1

Winner: Monier Abusaft

This city-centered district belongs to Democrats, who own the primary.

Monier Abusaft, an attorney and small business owner, faced a challenge to his second term on County Council. He ran on his record of helping to create the county's small and minority-owned business development program and his ideas for creating more affordable housing in a county that badly needs it.

His challengers, veteran Mike Fowler and real estate agent Ricky Fields, made community involvement and ending the Southside food desert major parts of their platforms.

Abusaft won with 64.3 percent of the vote.

Read about the District 1 candidates here.

Spartanburg County Council District 3

Winner: David Britt

Incumbent David Britt, a leader of industry in Spartanburg who's been on council since 1991, ran on his record of growing the county's industry and median income through FILOT agreements and running the county "like a business."

His opponent, Bryan Alverson, ran on his opposition to to FILOTs and his desire to fix the roads and eliminate property taxes.

Britt won with 62.5 percent of the vote.

Read about the District 3 candidates here.

For live results of all races, click here.