Republican Colleton County sheriff candidate Craig Stivender released a campaign ad featuring a photo of himself in blackface. Stivender posted the campaign video on Facebook and said he wanted South Carolina residents to see all of his flaws before voting begins.

“About 10 years ago as a young police officer, I attended a law enforcement Halloween party dressed as ruthless drug kingpin ‘Big Meech’ Flenory. I did it to disparage a criminal whose actions hurt our community and country. That was a different time. Today we understand that type of costume is troubling to many. To those who may be upset, I understand your disappointment,” Stivender said in the video.

Stivender said the Facebook video is full of supportive comments from local white residents thanking him for his honesty.

He later told NPR in an interview, "If I dressed up in blackface today, it would definitely be an issue because we know today that people are very easily offended over things that were maybe not so much 10 years ago."

The sheriff candidate said he could not be racist because he went to the party with a Black woman.

He shared the photo of himself in blackface during a campaign video dedicated to exposing his flaws. He said he wanted to list off anything his opponents might use against him.

In the video, the 36-year-old said he's been reprimanded as a police officer for losing his temper and been in a number of fender benders which were his fault.

The firefighter is hoping to win the seat currently held by Sheriff Andy Strickland, who is embroiled in his own scandal over a hotel room he booked for his kids on the county's dime.

Almost 40% of Colleton County's 37,000 residents are Black.

Despite Stivender admitting his past of explosive anger on the job, he was voted Officer of the Year in 2014 at Walterboro Police Department, where he currently works.

The election will take place in November 2020.

Craig-Stivender

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