Byrd defeats Gainey in runoff for Darlington County sheriff

DARLINGTON — Darlington Police Capt. Wayne Byrd defeated Darlington County Chief Deputy Sheriff Tom Gainey on Tuesday during the Democratic primary runoff election for the office of Darlington County sheriff.

Byrd claimed 4,642 votes to Gainey’s 1,799 votes.

There are no Republican candidates for the position.

Tuesday’s runoff was scheduled after the two ran a close race against each other, and Lamar Police Chief Charles Woodle. on June 10.

On June 10, Byrd had a total of 3,477 votes, while Gainey trailed with 2,706 votes. Woodle received 1,407 votes in that election.

After the primary, Woodle said he was trying to determine who to endorse by engaging in talks with his supporters and the remaining two candidates.

He said he later decided to endorse Byrd.

“We had the same ideas and the same concepts,” Woodle said. “And Darlington County needs to change.”

Byrd, 42, was the first candidate to announce he would run for sheriff. He began his law enforcement career in his hometown of Society Hill in 1987 and has been with the Darlington Police Department since 1989.

Gainey, 55, who has been chief deputy since 1996, announced he would run for the position in January.

Gainey, who was endorsed by incumbent Darlington County Sheriff Glenn Campbell, said he made the decision to run after Campbell announced he wouldn’t seek re-election after hold the position for 24 years.

Gainey began his law enforcement career in 1975 at the Florence Police Department, where he worked for two years. He also worked at the Hartsville Police Department for six years.

— Morning News staff writer Candace Jarrett and WBTW News13’s Kelly Gillespie contributed to this report.