Jasper County voters wanted new leaders. Hipp wins sheriff’s race, Aiken wins coroner
Jasper County voters sent incumbents packing Tuesday night, replacing the sheriff and long time coroner, who are white, with African American challengers.
The change comes as Americans across the country rally in support of an end to systematic racism and police brutality.
Donald Hipp unseated Jasper County Sheriff Chris Malphrus on Tuesday, winning 56.35% of the votes and ensuring Malphrus serves only one term, according to unofficial results.
Willie Patrick Aiken III won the coroner’s race with 52.32% of the votes, unseating Martin Sauls III. Aiken is likely to be the first new coroner Jasper County’s had since 1980.
Two Jasper County Council members — Chairman Henry Etheridge and Tom Johnson — also lost their bids for re-election.
Minutes after results were released, Hipp, who works as an investigator in the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, excitedly told The Island Packet, “The future looks bright. ... We’re going to get out there and work together. We’re going to do things by the books. I’m going to be a sheriff for all the people.”
More than 6,830 of the county’s 20,661 registered voters — 33% — cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary. The county has 15 voting precincts.
Since no Republicans have filed to run for sheriff or coroner, Hipp and Aiken will likely be unopposed in November’s general election unless someone petitions to run as an Independent.
The sheriff’s race
Both Malphrus, 41, and Hipp, 51, have more than two decades in law enforcement experience, all in Jasper County.
Malphrus defeated Hipp in the 2016 general election, 45% to 33%, to secure his first term as sheriff. This election, Hipp captured 56.35% with Malphrus following at 43.65%.
This year, the two campaigned on the need to reduce violent crime and be proactive in the community. Malphrus said he was already doing that. Hipp argued that more needed to be done and also called for greater transparency.
Malphrus said transparency in the Sheriff’s Office had increased tremendously in his first two years. “Numbers don’t lie,” he said, pointing to statistics showing a reduced rate of violent crimes in the county and a higher arrest rate.
“I want to tell people to look for a big change in Jasper County,” Hipp said. “We’re going to restore confidence in the community and the law enforcement officers.”
The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for law enforcement on the county level. In addition to working closely with the Hardeeville and Ridgeland police departments, the Sheriff’s Office enforces all local, state, and federal laws. The sheriff is paid $81,637.25 annually.
The coroner’s race
Jasper County Coroner Martin Sauls III, 75, hadn’t faced two challengers ever in his 40 years in office.
This year, Aiken, 31, a local funeral home operator, and former deputy coroner Jeremiah E Vaigneur II, 48, challenged him on the need for change.
Aiken carried 52.32% of the vote, with Sauls following at 29.08% and Vaigneur at 18.60%.
“Change is often times good and brings fresh ideas,” Aiken said. “This is 2020. ... and it’s time for a new coroner to combat some of the new issues we’re facing,” Aiken had previously told The Island Packet.
All three candidates own and operate funeral homes in the Lowcountry and said the experience would help them in the coroner’s position. All said deaths caused by opioids, vehicle crashes, and gun violence were preventable deaths, and the Coroner’s Office could be more proactive in addressing those issues.
The Jasper County coroner investigates all human deaths that occur within the boundaries of the county, except hospital deaths or those that happen under the supervision of a physician. The coroner, who certifies the cause of death for every patient, is a part-time job with a salary of $15,298.81.
County council races
▪ Samuel Gregory won 53.71% of the vote for the at-large seat against incumbent County Council member and former chairman Tom Johnson. He will face Republican John Kemp in November’s general election.
▪ Alvin Abby Adkins won the Pocotaligo Township seat with 56.43% of the vote, defeating incumbent County Council Chairman Henry Etheridge. No Republican from the township filed to be on the Nov. 3 ballot.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 10:56 PM.
