My Why for Running
I’m running for South Carolina State House in District 38 because, like so many families in our community, mine has lived the challenges that too often go unheard and unaddressed.
When my mother was battling Parkinson’s disease, our family faced the overwhelming reality of finding long-term care. We struggled with Medicaid, the high cost of nursing homes, and the constant shortage of nurses at her facility. No family should have to fight that hard just to ensure their loved one is treated with dignity.
My husband’s cancer journey opened my eyes even further. We experienced firsthand the stress of navigating insurance, the endless paperwork, and the long waits for care. We saw the strain on our healthcare system with the shortage of hospital beds, the lack of providers, and the burden placed on families who are already carrying so much. People in District 38 deserve the best access to healthcare possible.
As a parent of a child with special needs, I see the gaps in our education system every week. Families are fighting for resources that should already be there. Our schools need more support to serve every child, and parents need real options, especially when it comes to childcare. Right now, many of us are left without solutions that fit our reality. We should be working together at the local and state level to expand access, including proven community-based models that can meet families where they are.
In my work in higher education, I see the opportunity we have right here in our region, to connect our people with the jobs of today and tomorrow. We don’t have a talent shortage; we have a coordination problem. We need leadership that brings education, business, and workforce development together to strengthen our local economy.
My motivation is also deeply personal. I’ve lost three nephews to fentanyl overdoses, and I have a brother who is unhoused. These are not distant issues, they are happening in our families, in our neighborhoods. We need stronger support for law enforcement, more access to mental health resources, and real solutions to the addiction crisis. Public safety is not optional, it is foundational and security when our state needs it the most. When someone calls 911, there must always be someone there to answer, unlike my experience in a neighboring state.
We cannot ignore the basics. Our roads are in poor condition, and too often, people feel like they have to fight just to be heard. I’ve been there. After a snowstorm, I had to personally advocate just to get my road evaluated and repaired. The government should not require that level of persistence to meet basic needs.
Across healthcare, education, public safety, infrastructure, and economic opportunity, the people of District 38 are facing real challenges and they deserve real solutions.
I’m running because it’s time for practical, collaborative, and common-sense leadership. Leadership that listens, shows up, and works alongside the community to get things done.
District 38 deserves to be seen, heard, and prioritized and I’m ready to fight for it.