Leon Lott, a Democrat, was first elected Richland County sheriff in 1996. He now faces a challenge by Republican Jim Walker.
The victor will serve a four-year term.
Leon Lott
Name: Leon Lott
Party: Democrat
Age: 71
Occupation/place of employment: Richland County sheriff.
Education/school: Lott received an associate’s degree in police administration from the University of South Carolina at Aiken. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, before earning a master’s degree in emergency management from Lander University.
Political or civic experience: Lott has been the elected Sheriff of Richland County for the past 28 years.
Campaign website: LeonLott.com
Why are you running for Richland County Sheriff?
Because God has gifted me with a strong mind and body. For 49 years as a cop, with the last 28 as Sheriff, I still have the desire to help Richland County be the best we can be. I stand on the church song, “May the Work I’ve Done Speak for Me.”
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
My top three priorities are the same: reducing gun violence. We are losing a generation of young people to gun violence. While some believe this is a law enforcement issue, it is actually a community problem and should be addressed as such. Gun violence is not unique to Richland County. However, we can reduce this violence by having all components of our community working together.
How do you proactively plan to address gun violence among young Black men in Richland County?
All Gun Violence is a community problem and not just a law enforcement problem. This problem will be effectively addressed through education, not just enforcement. Our SROs, D.A.R.E. Deputies, Churches, Schools, and Communities must work together as One Team and not independently.
Jim Walker
Name: Jim Walker
Party: Republican
Age: 65
Occupation/place of employment: Retired US Navy and Richland County sheriff’s deputy
Education/school: Walker holds an M.B.A. from American InterContinental University
Political or civic experience: This is Walker’s first political race. In the past he’s volunteered on various campaigns.
Campaign website: jimwalkerforsheriff.com
Why are you running for Richland County Sheriff?
It is time for a change in our county. The change can bring a new perspective and rebuild our communities by rebuilding trust and establishing our voice. This means that we work together as a collaborative group so that we can possibly bring together the sheriff’s department and the communities. Also, we need to help our citizens understand that their voice is very important to the success of their community and their sheriff’s department.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
The first of my top three priorities is the forward fight against gun violence. The reason why that is number one on my list is that it is the biggest threat to the safety and liberties of our citizens and communities.
The second of my top three list is the fight against domestic violence and hate crimes; we don’t have a law on the books for hate crimes.
The third and final priority is total transparency, starting with myself as the sheriff and with the whole department with any significant incidents involving deputies as soon as legally possible; this includes any incidents where any deputies need to be investigated. This is important because there isn’t enough transparency from the people in charge, except when their jobs are at stake. As the sheriff, I would want the citizens to know that under my tenure, they can be assured that we are honest and unbiased.
How do you proactively plan to address gun violence among young Black men in Richland County?
To proactively address gun violence, we need to create and implement a research and education program by looking to other programs around the country. By doing so, we can discover and look at what is possibly working in different parts of the country to see what may work in our communities in minimizing gun violence. Then we can also use the research program to possibly develop a workable education program for our citizens.
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