MULLINS, SC (WBTW) – Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Major Brian Wallace says his victory in Tuesday’s primary is a dream come true.
It’s a victory he has worked for his entire career. The 17-year deputy says with current Sheriff Mark Richardson retiring this year, he felt this was the time to take a shot at the office.
“That day has come,” he said. “We just felt like now was the time to step out and do it.”
Wallace’s primary opponent, Marion Police Chief Dewayne Tennie, is more than just a political rival.
“We were friends before this started, we were friends during it, we’ll be friends after it,” Wallace explained. “We were both relieved it was over.”
With Tuesday’s victory now behind him, he now looks toward the November general election. He says he plans to take the same strategy as he did in the primary–meeting the people, telling them how he plans to fight crime in Marion County.
“We plan on targeting hot zones, putting more officers where they’re needed to increase patrol,” Wallace said. “We’re gonna be more proactive than reactive.”
Maj. Wallace said having grown up in Marion County means protecting the people that live there is more than just a job.
“I love Marion County,” he said. “I chose to build my home here, raise my family here, and hopefully one day I’ll retire right here in Marion County.”
For now though, he says he has just one job now that Tuesday’s primary is over.
“My little girl is five and she wants to go to Disney World. I promised her after the voting,” said Wallace, smiling. “So in a few weeks we’re gonna take off to Disney and relax a little before November comes and we hit the trail again.”
Despite the close vote tally, Chief Tennie does not plan to contest the result. Marion County election officials plan to certify the vote Thursday morning.
