Dorchester County Democratic Party Shines at Givhans State Park "Stump"

Dorchester County Democratic Party had a great family get-together at our “Edisto River Stump” event in Givhans Ferry State Park on Saturday, Aug. 18.  Unlike the county Republican Party, which is fractured into many factions after the between Bennett, Rose, Duncan and Piscatella, Dorchester’s Democratic Party is strongly united behind its candidates for the Nov. 6 elections.

Over 100 local residents came to Givhans Ferry to hear candidates give “stump” speeches and enjoy great food, and there were even activities for the children including face painting.  The theme of the day was consistent – the Democrats are running candidates who will represent the residents of our county, not special interests.  Those candidates are getting broad support from Democrats, Independents, and common-sense Republicans.  The issues are crystal clear: we need representatives who will support strong public schools and jobs that pay a living wage and support smart growth in the County.

 At the county level, Miriam Birdsong is a strong candidate for County Council Dist. 6; unlike the incumbent, she believes in a balanced county budget that supports the citizens, not special interests.  She will support the people of Dist. 6 when they have problems, especially since all County Council representatives must be responsive to their constituents.  Birdsong will be the first woman on County Council if elected, too. (‘Bout time!)

For House Dist. 97, the need for Rep. Patsy Knight to continue supporting her constituents has never been greater.  Last election the Republicans did not run anybody against Knight because she was doing such a great job for the citizens. Patsy Knight has the unique experience of working in both county government and state government supporting our County.  This time the Republicans are running a candidate who can’t decide whether he’s Democrat or Republican, as he said in the first debate this spring against his primary opponent (in 2000 Carter ran as a Democrat). That means that he’s not actually a member of either party. He just signs up with whichever Party he thinks will get him elected, and getting elected  is evidently more important than who he supports and where he stands on the issues.

Knight is a strong female state representative for Dist. 97, and we need to return her to the State House to continue working with the other Democratic Representatives from Dorchester County, Joe Jefferson, David Mack and Seth Whipper, for jobs in Dorchester County. 

Speaking of those other representatives, Jefferson (who now represents the County from Harleyville to Ridgeville) gave a rousing stump speech.  So did Rep. Whipper, whose district was just expanded into the North Summerville region. When they are re-elected and, along with Knight, they will give Dorchester County citizens superb representation in Columbia.

All had a great time at the “Edisto River Stump,” and those attending know how important it is as voters to register and to vote.  All were strong supporters of Birdsong, Knight, Jefferson and Whipper, along with State Representative David Mack and State Senator John Mathews Jr. -- together these Democrats will make a great legislative team for Dorchester County citizens in Columbia -- supporting Dorchester County and its goals of a great public education and strong jobs.