Police Chief Says He Won't Serve as Mayor

Ehrhardt, SC (AP) -- A South Carolina police chief elected as mayor of a nearby town says he won't serve in both roles after all.

The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg reported Thursday that James Preacher made the decision to give up a position as Ehrhardt mayor after a meeting with town council this week. Preacher will keep his job as police chief of Norway. Previous coverage: Police Chief to Serve as Mayor

Preacher had said that he would serve in both jobs despite an opinion by the state attorney general's office advising against it. He had said that dual office holding was not an ethics violation in his case because the election was nonpartisan and not for the same town.

The state constitution says no person may hold two offices of honor or profit at the same time.