Letter: Sheriff’s wife should not be solicitor

I read with interest the recent article about the upcoming Republican Party primary election for 14th Circuit Solicitor and the forum that was held by Greater Bluffton Republican Party with incumbent Duffie Stone and challenger Angela McCall-Tanner.

McCall-Tanner is the wife of Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner. She was asked about the perception of a conflict of interest in running for this office, to which she replied that this was “a unique situation.” Indeed.

When I was a cadet at West Point and an officer in the United States Army, I was always taught that leaders and people in position of authority should always avoid situations or conduct that could give even the potential appearance of self-interest, conflict of interest or impropriety.

While this “unique situation,” as McCall-Tanner describes it, may not be technically or legally a conflict of interest, it certainly gives that appearance.

The notion that the top law enforcement authority and the person responsible for prosecuting those brought forward by law enforcement in Beaufort County would be married to each other, living and sleeping under the same roof, is deeply disturbing.

Justice must be blind, impartial and balanced. With all due respect to McCall-Tanner, it’s almost impossible to see that happening in Beaufort County should she be elected into the “unique situation” she herself describes.

This story was originally published May 12, 2016 at 11:55 AM with the headline "Letter: Sheriff’s wife should not be solicitor."