York County Sheriff Bruce Bryant considering a run for S.C. House

After nearly twenty years as Sheriff of York County, Bruce Bryant said he is considering running for the South Carolina State House.

Bryant, in an interview with WRHI, explained that if S.C. Rep. Ralph Norman of Rock Hill decides to run for Lieutenant Governor, he will “strongly consider” running for the seat.

Norman, a local developer, said Monday he will make a decision in January if he will run for the statewide seat. He was elected to the S.C. House in 2005 and again in 2009 and represents northern portions of Rock Hill, the western side of Fort Mill, a part of Clover and Tega Cay.

Bryant was first elected to office in 1996 after retiring from the State Law Enforcement Division. He previously worked at the City of York Police Department and the York County Sheriff’s Office.

“I’m going to certainly weigh all the options and look at that as a possibility,” Bryant said. “I feel like I have a lot to bring to the table.”

Bryant specifically mentioned tweaking South Carolina’s drunk driving laws, citing the “confusion” among the statutes.

“I feel that law enforcement needs a voice in the House,” Bryant said.

If elected, Bryant would be the second former law enforcement officer from York County serving in the legislature.

S.C. Rep. Tommy Pope of Clover is a former police officer and solicitor for the 16th Judicial Circuit, covering York and Cherokee counties.