ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Orangeburg County’s coroner for the past 32 years, Samuetta Marshall, is not seeking an eighth term. And with no GOP candidates in the running, the winner of the upcoming Democratic primary runoff will likely be the new coroner.
Last week’s Democratic coroner’s primary in Orangeburg ended with no candidate securing the over 50% of the vote needed to win outright. So, the top two candidates advanced to the runoff.
Orangeburg Chief Deputy Coroner Sean Fogle and Bamberg Deputy Coroner Montez Haynes will be on the ballot.
If elected, Fogle says his efforts would be on education, collaboration and accreditation.
“I want to be able to have an atmosphere for the community of Orangeburg County, that they have an office that’s dedicated to their need, that’s attentive to their needs and making sure that they receive the information that’s necessary during that time of bereavement,” Fogle said.
Haynes says if elected, his focus would also be on accreditation but also two other goals.
"I want to make sure we have a faster response time and also community education," said Haynes. "I believe that the coroner's office can give some proactive approaches to death care.”
In the primary, Haynes received 34% of the votes. He says he wants to continue serving the community.
"I want the people to understand that a long term resident of Orangeburg County, I have been serving the community faithfully and I want to continue to serve the community as the next Orangeburg county coroner."
Fogle received 45% of the votes in the primary. He says he wants voters to turn out for the runoff.
“We were very close with the last election I just want everyone to come back out bring a friend bring your family," said Fogle. "Just come back out because as I stated previously this is very important and we want to make change not just for the Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office but for Orangeburg County.”
Early voting begins in Orangeburg June 19 and runs through June 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The runoff election will be held on Tuesday, June 25, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
