AIKEN, SC. – As South Carolina gears up for its gubernatorial race, one prominent local figure is already weighing in with his endorsement. Marty Sawyer, who has served as Aiken County Sheriff for nearly a year, has decided to publicly support a key candidate for the state’s highest office.

Sheriff Sawyer has announced his endorsement of Pamela Evette, the current lieutenant governor. His decision comes after several personal interactions with Evette, which left a lasting impression on him and his family. “She spoke with my wife and me for about 15 or 20 minutes, even before I had any political aspirations,” Sawyer recounted. “Despite not knowing us, she was incredibly genuine, and that sincerity has been consistent in every encounter since.”

As the gubernatorial election approaches, Sawyer’s endorsement highlights the early stirrings of political support and alliances forming throughout the state. With his backing, Evette gains a notable ally in her pursuit of the governorship, underscoring her appeal to local law enforcement and community leaders.

“She talked to me and my wife for 15 or 20 minutes, we had never met each other and I wasn’t even running for office at the time. But every other time I met her after that, she’s just been such a genuine person,” said Sawyer.

Sawyer is throwing his support behind current lieutenant governor Pamela Evette.

Evette has served as the state’s lieutenant governor since 2019.

She’s looking to step into current Governor Henry McMaster’s shoes with his second term up in January 2027. 

Sheriff Sawyer endorsed Evette earlier this week because of her support for law enforcement and small businesses. 

He says her plan for technical schools across the state could be a big boost for the county if she’s elected.

“With Aiken County having Aiken Tech here, that will help the county tremendously. If she supports technical schools, she can bring industry in and say this is what we need taught at your technical school—then they’ll be hired right out of tech school and ready to go to work. So, I think that could be a tremendous asset for Aiken County,” Sawyer said.

He also calls Evette a businesswoman, saying he sees a need for more business leaders in government.

“Her and her husband built a small business into a multi-million-dollar business. I think Pam Evette would run this state like a business, which is what we need,” he added.

He joins Edgefield County Sheriff Jody Rowland and a growing number of elected officials supporting Evette, including state representative Melissa Lackey-Oremus. 

“It says a lot when your Sheriff, who’s for law and order, comes out for a candidate this early,” said Oremus.

With growing support for the lieutenant governor, could those endorsements sway voters’ decisions when it comes time to go to the polls?

Debbie Epling, chairwoman for the Aiken County Republican Party, disagrees.

“People can get their own information, they can do research whereas they haven’t been able to do that in the past. I think that is part of the reason endorsements aren’t as important as they used to be,” Epling said.

Others say the decision will come down to voters being properly informed.

“I think so. We are elected officials, and because of that people trust our opinions, and they trust what we have to say about things,” Oremus said.

“I would say to just do your homework. Do some research on all your candidates—not just Pam—and you make the final decision,” said Sawyer.

Primaries are next June, and the gubernatorial election is next November.