Derrick Burbage Announces Plans To Run As A Write-In Candidate For Berkeley Co. Sheriff

Pictured: Derrick Burbage announces plans to run as a write-in candidate for sheriff

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Derrick Burbage, a former state trooper, Charleston County deputy and Afghanistan police advisor, announced plans Wednesday evening to run as a write-in candidate for Berkeley County sheriff.

“Throughout this entire campaign, I have been working hard to share my vision for a better sheriff’s office for OUR community and that vision has not changed!” Burbage stated on his official Facebook campaign page. “I still feel the voters of Berkeley County need and deserve a better option on June 9th.”

Last month, Burbage ran as a petition candidate but fell short of the required signatures, obtaining just over 2,800 of the 5,313 required prior to the noon deadline on April 10th.

Burbage went on to endorse Brian Adams for sheriff. Nine of the twelve other candidates who ran for sheriff during the primary endorsed Duane Lewis, the chief deputy of law enforcement for Santee Cooper.

“I’m proudly supporting Duane Lewis for Sheriff. His proven executive command experience, dedication to safeguarding taxpayer dollars, and ability to build relationships and bring people together is exactly what Berkeley County needs,” stated state senator Larry Grooms who also endorsed Lewis.

Despite the overwhelming support Lewis has received from law makers and county leaders, Burbage believes there is still a better person for the job–him.

“We can’t continue the cycle of electing officials who don’t uphold the core values of this very important office. YOU, as voters, MUST come out and let your voices be heard,” wrote Burbage. “We will not accept anyone whose virtues do not align with the best interests of the County and its citizens.”

Burbage is not the only person with a law enforcement background to offer his name as a write-in candidate on the ballot.

Pictured: Former Hanahan Police Chief Melvin Bellew addresses the media Tuesday outside the Berkeley Co. Courthouse — Pictured: Former Hanahan Police Chief Melvin Bellew announces plans to also run as a write-in candidate

Eight days ago former Hanahan police chief Melvin Bellew held a press conference in front of the Berkeley County courthouse to announce his plans to run as a write-in candidate for sheriff in the upcoming general election.

“I know I’m the underdog, but that’s how Strom Thurmond actually first got elected to the U.S. Senate,” explained Bellew at the time. ““I think I have better qualifications than the two that are actually running.”

Presently, Republican candidate Duane Lewis will face Democratic candidate Anthony Smalls, a sergeant at the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office during the June primary.

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