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by WILL FOLKS
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One of South Carolina’s longest-serving law enforcement leaders has decided to step down next year – and, consequently, will not be seeking reelection in 2026.
Beaufort County, S.C. sheriff PJ Tanner notified his staff on Thursday evening (March 12, 2026) of his intention to retire on January 5, 2027 – saying he will not stand for reelection in the fall.
“I am confident that this office will continue to thrive,” Tanner wrote in a letter to his staff. “And I am hopeful you will provide the incoming sheriff with the same dedication to purpose that you have shown me.”
Tanner won a seventh term in office in 2022 – decisively defeating former S.C. fourteenth circuit investigator (and former Beaufort County sheriff’s captain) JoJo Woodward in the Republican primary election.
Here is a copy of Tanner’s letter to his staff…
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Tanner came to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) in 1981, working as a criminal investigator and commander of the county’s drug enforcement operations. He was first elected sheriff in 1998 and has served in that role ever since – winning reelection in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Prior to his tenure at BCSO, Tanner served for four years at the S.C. Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) as an investigator with the Bureau of Protective Services (BPS) as well as a liaison for drug enforcement and environmental protection and enforcement.
Tanner’s wife, Angela Tanner, is an assistant attorney general for South Carolina’s top prosecutor, Alan Wilson. She currently serves as part of his office’s Violent Crimes Case Reduction Unit (VCCRU).
BCSO is a 350-employee agency which includes nearly 250 sworn law enforcement offices. Its annual budget is more than $33 million.
The timing of Tanner’s announcement – made just three days before the opening of the state’s candidate filing period – has sparked considerable discussion in Lowcountry political circles. By waiting until the proverbial last minute to make his intentions known to the public, Tanner has made it extremely difficult for candidates who might be interested in campaigning for this open seat to assess their prospects and make informed decisions.
Filing for partisan offices in South Carolina opens on Monday (March 16, 2026) at 12:00 p.m. EDT and closes exactly two weeks later – at 12:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 30, 2026.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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3 comments
Best News For Beaufort County!! He and his Officers are NOT Honest!!
What specific examples of dishonesty do you have?
One he Never Works! Always Golfing with the Wealthy of HHI! We pay him to WORK NOT Golf!! He has Fired Honest Officers ( I know Many) that Caught Chief Deputy Mike Hatfield’s Gun in Possession of Drug Dealers! When Logging it in
They were Told to give it to PJ and Hatfield! The Theft of the Gun was NEVER Reported! He has Officers That Ran a Satellite Dish Dish Card Hacking Group that were selling Them! I have More, including a SWINGER Group!!!