WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Legal questions surround Ehrhardt police chief's mayoral win

Legal questions surround Ehrhardt police chief's mayoral win

By Drew Stewart - bio | email

EHRHARDT, SC (WIS) - Ehrhardt Police Chief Jim Preacher has done something many people in this state may have never seen before: he's now the holder of two political offices.

On Nov. 3, Preacher won the mayoral election in the town of Norway.

However, what Preacher is trying to do may not be legal. The state Constitution prohibits citizens from holding two public offices at the same time.

Preacher says that since one of his positions he holds is that of constable, the prohibition doesn't apply in this case. He also says he looked into the issue before the election, starting with Ehrhardt's mayor.

"I asked Mayor Billy Stanley if there would be a problem, he said there was none," said Preacher.

Preacher also says he spoke to his attorneys and the state Ethics Commission. He says both told him there wasn't a problem.

But an opinion from Attorney General Henry McMaster, given to us by Preacher, states, "While there are no State statutory or constitutional provisions which would prohibit a chief of police from running for office of mayor, if he was to be successfully elected as mayor, it would be a violation (sic) of the State Constitution."

Preacher says, if that's the case, he'll stay on as police chief.

"I felt like I had a moral and ethical obligation to the people of Ehrhardt," said Preacher.

Norway resident Daniel Shaw says Preacher's obligation lies with those who elected him. "I think he's a good individual for this town," he said.

"I've got to keep my word to the people I've given it to," said Preacher. "The people of Norway are great people, and I think they would understand if a man has given his word, then his word is his bond."

As for the attorney general and his opinion, Preacher had not too much to say. "I should have the same rights as a state constable, and I'll deal with Mr. McMaster at the polls," he said.

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