Jasper Co. has new coroner for first time in decades

JASPER COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - Jasper County has a new coroner for the first time in decades.

Now Coroner-Elect Willie Aiken beat out incumbent Martin Sauls by over a thousand votes.

Aiken carried 52 percent of the vote Tuesday night.

We spoke with the Coroner-Elect who says he wants to be transparent and educate the community about the job, and more.

“I believe it was time for a change. I believe that the corner position should be more proactive than reactive and I just want to thank the citizens of Jasper County for giving me the opportunity to to try to make a difference," said Aiken.

Aiken says he’s also excited to be the first African-American coroner for the county and is thankful of the people who came out to support him.