In 2017, during many cookouts, driveway chats and Swamp Rabbit Trail walks, my neighbors and I collectively realized that our State House Representative (a Republican that had been in office for 22 years) needed an opponent. And that opponent would be me. In November of 2018; the seat wasn’t won, but we moved forward and showed progress. Many Democratic neighbors were beyond thrilled to finally have an option, and they could not believe that they had the opportunity to vote for someone that shared their beliefs and goals! The best lesson was to learn that my District thinks locally, acts neighborly and votes informed.
In 2019, my former opponent decided to run for State Senate and although my fellow Democratic nominee Tina Belge did outstanding and gave him a run for his money; he became a State Senator. So, later in 2019 I again became the Democrat nominee for State House District 19. We were just 476 votes shy of turning a red seat in the State House blue. Tough but it was not a total loss; we’re still winners because we never compromised our values and we won 2 precincts and the absentee votes.
Here we are in 2020, and I would be honored to be your 1st Vice Chair. Running for office was never about myself, it was always about my neighbors and for my neighbors. Both times I filed to run for office my vow was to fight for them and that has not or will not ever change. I consider all of the Greenville County Democratic Party my neighbors. I’m ready to fight for all of you and for us. You can count on me to work hard, work with others and work to build a stronger Democratic Party.
In January 2020, I co organized the Women’s March here in Greenville. Right off Main Street; in the pouring, freezing rain. The power to speak up, be heard and see others rise is what we all need, and we deserve officers in the Greenville County Democratic Party that can make that happen daily.
Our votes have incredible power. Just one vote can be the deciding factor when it comes to important issues that affect all of Greenville County, you, your friends and family and neighbors. This is true up and down the ballot. One of my priorities when I become your 1st Vice Chair is to make sure that everyone votes, everyone has access and the ability to vote, and that every vote is counted. I will do this by organizing voter registration drives and events to encourage voter participation and work with fellow leaders, election officials and the Election Commission to fight voter suppression. I’ll be working with the local community and the ACLU to make sure that all our voters can vote and their path to the polls is not blocked in any way.
As your 1st Vice Chair another priority is to make sure that our fellow Democrats are elected. As a two-time candidate, I know firsthand the time, the funds, and the support that is needed to make a campaign a success. I know that direct voter contact gets votes and making connections is the best way to fund raise. I will make sure each one of our candidates gets treated equally and gets equal exposure and opportunities.
I’m a fighter, I fought for my District but now it’s time for more. I want to fight for all of Greenville County. We are a Democratic Party full of activists, donors, precinct leaders and delegates. I believe that with newly elected officers, we can work even harder, smarter, organize better and be even prouder of the fact that we are the party of ALL the people.
As your 1st Vice Chair, you can count on me to be 100% focused on what it takes to turn Greenville County blue and what our voters and candidates need. I can bring us all together across the county to engage even more members of our community, strengthen our candidate’s presence and the presence of the Greenville County Democratic Party. Not just during an election cycle, but every day, year-round.