S.C. Senate District 35 candidates discuss issues ahead of the November election

CAMDEN, SC (WIS) – South Carolina Senate District 35 will have a new representative after Election Day. The district consists of Sumter, Kershaw, Lee counties and parts of Northeast Richland County.

The final two candidates in the seven-candidate preliminary round are Republican candidate and 36-year-old U.S. Army veteran Mike Jones and current Camden City Council member and former Camden Mayor Jeffery Graham.

The winner of this year’s election will take over the seat currently held by Democrat Thomas McElveen.

One issue that each candidate has expressed a position on is the addition of another penny tax – which has come up on previous votes in Sumter County.

One of the updates, if approved, would bring new equipment and facility improvements to the public safety offices and add water and sewer improvements throughout the county.

“If you have the same amount of money and you have projects where you can match local money, state money and federal money, there tends to be more bang for your buck,” he said. “But I’m sure here in Kershaw County we’ve had those dollars that we’ve been able to put into our school on the dime, in addition to the city tax. We have been able to invest in our community here. So I hope the voters choose to implement that.”

“I’m a little torn. I think there are definitely some things that need to be done. There are a number of things that people question. People say, “Hey, we don’t maintain some of the current parts that we have. Maybe we should figure out how to keep this up to date,” Jones said.

“Sumter is having some communication issues with their 911 responders,” he said. “If it doesn’t get upgraded through the penny tax system, then it’s likely they’ll have to raise some of the property taxes.”

Abortion rights also graced the list of topics.

With that final decision up to each state’s discretion, South Carolina has begun enforcing a ban on most abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, at about six weeks.

“I think the Heartbeat Act was a good bill that was introduced,” Jones said. “I’m more of a pro-life person, but I understand there are some considerations to be made, and I think the Heartbeat Act has done that.”

“Women’s rights have been taken back and I don’t agree with that. And I continue to stand up for women and what they need in the doctor’s office. We have professionals who are physicians,” Graham said. “They are trained to ensure that they make the right decision together with their patient. And I think it should stay there.”

WIS News also asked the candidates about school safety and what, if any, changes were needed to the curriculum in South Carolina’s public schools.

While both candidates prioritized the importance of safety, Jones said conversations about LGBTQ+ issues in school education should be postponed.

“The LGBTQ thing, as far as elementary school goes, I don’t necessarily think it should be happening in elementary school,” he said. “I know a lot of parents I’ve spoken to have expressed concerns about this at the primary school level. I think as they get older and mature and start to see things a little bit, it’s good for their parents to talk to them,”

“I think about my education and the opportunities my parents offer me. They put us in public schools. They give us an opportunity to learn about different topics… so I think it’s part of our job to provide that opportunity,” Graham said.

“It is extremely important that we let the professionals do their work and support them every day.”

The last day for early voting is November 2.

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