Koon backs Hubbard for solicitor

Former prosecutor Rick Hubbard’s effort to become 11th Circuit solicitor got a boost Wednesday with the endorsement of Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon.

Hubbard’s experience makes him “the steady hand we need,” Koon said.

The pair worked together in law enforcement for more than two decades.

Koon became the county’s first new sheriff elected in 42 years with support from many current and former prosecutors.

Both “share a commitment to serving and protecting our community with everything we have to give,” Hubbard said.

Koon’s decision could be the start of other law enforcement leaders rallying around Hubbard, a longtime assistant to retiring Solicitor Donnie Myers.

Hubbard is one of three Republicans in the race, competing with former assistant solicitors Candice Lively and Larry Wedekind in the June 14 primary ballot. No Democrat is running.

The winner will be chief prosecutor in Lexington, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda counties starting next year.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 7:16 PM with the headline "Koon backs Hubbard for solicitor."