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Chester's Complicated Sheriff Saga Finally Gets Settled

Max Dorsey

When Gov. Henry McMaster suspended Chester County Sheriff Alex Underwood due to federal corruption charges last year, he appointed Max Dorsey in his place. That touched off a long and complicated story that involved, among other things, Underwood vying to keep his seat on the 2020 ballot.

Eighteen months after assuming the office by appointment, Dorsey got his election victory. He won the sheriff's race by a nearly two-to-one margin and in the process became the county's first elected Republican sheriff since about the time Abraham Lincoln was the party's main face.

With voters having chosen him so convincingly, Dorsey says he sees a new future for Chester County and an increased burden on himself to get it right. He also says that while he's guided by conservative principles, he will be "as apolitical as anyone can be." He wants to be the sheriff of Democrats, Republicans, Constitutionalists, Greens ... Actually, he puts it this way:

"I'm a Gamecock, but I also serve Clemson Tigers."

In the following audio story, Dorsey lays out his ideas for Chester County, including what he sees as the most vital aspect of a healthy community -- good, solid relationships. Those are something he says need repairing. And symbiosis.

Scott Morgan is the Upstate multimedia reporter for South Carolina Public Radio, based in Rock Hill. He cut his teeth as a newspaper reporter and editor in New Jersey before finding a home in public radio in Texas. Scott joined South Carolina Public Radio in March of 2019. His work has appeared in numerous national and regional publications as well as on NPR and MSNBC. He's won numerous state, regional, and national awards for his work including a national Edward R. Murrow.