Freshman Katrina Shealy Emerging in Statehouse

UPDATE: Since taking office, Katrina Shealy has quickly emerged as a forceful voice on a number of issues. She's emerged as a staunch supporter of the expansion of Second Amendment rights, even offering CWP classes to educators in her district.

She's also worked to prevent a repeat of the ballot confusion that detoured her election bid. 

And during Gov. Haley's State of the State speech, Shealy was given a special mention.

Original story: The last two weeks have been quite the whirlwind for Katrina Shealy, Senator-elect of District 23. First, she pulled off the upset of the election season by defeating incumbent Jake Knotts while running as a petition candidate. In doing so, she became the only woman to serve in the South Carolina Senate.

Her accomplishment rippled beyond the borders of the Palmetto State and into the New York offices of Glamour Magazine. The publication named Shealy one of 15 "Women of the Year" in politics and invited her to a celebration last week in Carnegie Hall. Shealy offered future female candidates a bit of inspiration and delivered these remarks:

“Thank you, Glamour Magazine and all those involved in the selection process.I am proud to serve as the only woman in the South Carolina Senate. But, the true demonstration of being a successful leader will show that my gender is not as important as how I represent my state.To become Senator, we overcame many obstacles and fought an uphill battle against an entrenched incumbent as a petition candidate. My opposition pulled out all of the stops — from re-drawing the district to his favor to being part of a lawsuit to remove 250 candidates from the ballot.Many thought we would quit. And, most thought we could never win. But that’s not how South Carolinians are raised to think and work.We never gave up. We knocked on over 20,000 doors — garnering the support of the district and, most importantly, really getting to know the people, their desires, and their needs.In accepting this recognition, I share with you the mindset of South Carolinians: we never give up! And, we work extremely hard! Even when the odds are against us — we never give up; we work even harder.I did not give up during the election. And, I will not as a Senator, as we work to make South Carolina the most business-friendly state in the nation.Again, thank you for this recognition, as I proudly accept it on behalf of all the hard working people across South Carolina, who never give up.”

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