Candidate Profile: Ralph Kennedy, House District 39

It's a three-way race for the House District 39 seat in western Lexington County and Saluda County. 

Three Republicans are running for the seat, which will be left vacant by retiring Rep. Marion Frye. No Democrats are running.

Today, we'll take a look at Lexington Three school board member Ralph Kennedy. 

Check back later for profiles of Kennedy's opponents, Batesburg-Leesville mayor James Wiszowaty and Clemson University Extension Service agent Phil Perry of Saluda.

Name: Ralph Shealy Kennedy

Age: 53

Occupation: Small business owner. Small-town attorney at Kennedy Law Firm, LLC in Batesburg-Leesville. 

Prior experience in public office: Currently serving fourth term (16th year) on the Lexington School District Three Board of Trustees. Also served as the board chairman for four terms (four years). 

Family: Married 30 years to Lisa. Two children: Carlisle (23) and Lauren (21).

Education: Graduated with honors from Batesburg-Leesville High (1976). Received a bachelor of science in accounting from Clemson University (1981). Received a Juris Doctorate of Laws from the University of South Carolina (1986).

Website: http://kennedyforschouse.com/

 

Why are you running?

I was born and raised in this community (Batesburg-Leesville). This community has been a blessing to me and my family. I now have the time and ability to give back to our area. I feel like I have the Lord’s blessing and talent to work over in Columbia to bring things to this area, like better infrastructure, jobs — stuff that makes the community grow and prosper.

What are the most important issues you would address if elected?

I think we need more jobs and less government regulations. And I think we need to keep working on improving our education for our children. I think that this area, District 39, has been ignored by Columbia insiders for years. We really haven’t had a voice in Columbia for years. I have promised the people of this area that if I’m elected I will be a strong voice for this area so that their needs and concerns are heard and acted on over in Columbia.  

Would you change how District 39 is represented? How?

Change it completely. I would be active — pro-active. You would hear from me. I would make an impact in this area if i was elected and not just sit back and keep a seat warm. I’d fight for this area.

Have you heard any repeated concerns from residents of District 39?

Jobs. We’ve lost so many jobs in this area and there are not positions for our young people to continue living here. They have to work out of town or move out of town to raise their families. They have to commute to Columbia, Lexington, Greenville, Augusta. We just lost lots of jobs and positions and they haven’t been replaced. Our schools have less students in them than they used to and we need to reverse this trend. I want for them to have a good job, have good shopping here, for them to have pride in their community and want to raise their family here because there are lots of great benefits to being in a small town.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I love this area this district, and I’d like to see us grow and prosper. I want to keep our good people here so that their children and grandchildren will stay close in their community because we’re all about family in this neck of the woods.