Meet the candidates of State Senate District 30
Patrick T. Richardson
City | Britton’s Neck
Party | Democrat
Age | 37
Occupation | Financial institution/bank branch manager
Family | Son of Minnie Pearl Richardson and the Late Leon G. Richardson; brother of Sterlyn and Kenyatta Richardson
Education | Britton’s Neck High School; B.A., history, Delaware State University; Master’s, public administration, Strayer University
Civic and political experience | 2012 SC State Senate District 30 candidate; elected three times at Delaware State University as president of NAACP Chapter 2718; elected secretary as well as treasurer of the Council for Exceptional Children at DSU; served as mentor for freshman education majors in jeopardy for being suspended; was on-air radio host at the college’s radio station; served as a college tour guide, and student assistant to the dean of the College of Humanity and Social Sciences. Board member for Marion County Habitat for Humanity since April 2014; member of Masonic Lodge #336 in Britton’s Neck; member of Bethel AME Church Britton’s Neck
Military experience | None
Question | What do you think is the biggest issue in your district and how would you address it?
Answer | Three of five counties sit in the top 10 percent of unemployment. The current senator claims improvements, but where and how? Look at Marion; lost thousands of jobs with factory closures with no replacements; how is 24 percent now 9 percent? I am about bringing in quality jobs, community college and other resources. It will take all of us to make it happen. We will sit down with corporations to see how best to entice their interest in our district. Patrick is committed to bringing a quality life for everyone throughout the district in Dillon, Florence, Horry, Marion and Marlboro counties.
Kent Williams
City | Marion
Party | Democrat
Age | 55
Occupation | Marion deputy county administrator
Family | Son of Thelma Williams and the late James Williams
Education | A.S., Florence-Darlington Technical College; B.S., S.C. State University
Civic and political experience | S.C. State Senate, 2005 to Present; member, Marion County Board of Education,1998 to 2004, four years as chairman; served on 12th Judicial Circuit S.C. Agriculture Commission, 12th Judicial Circuit Youth Council board, Duke Endowment board and Marion District of the Rural Commission on Economic Development; S.C. Commission for the Blind’s 2006 Legislator of the Year; S.C. Black Family Expo 2009 Legislator of the Year; Greater Mullins Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year 2010; 2012 Conservation Voters of S.C.’s Peas and Carrots Award; S.C. Association of Conservation Districts’ 2014 Legislator of the Year; Epsilon Sigma Phi Alpha Phi Chapter’s 2016 Friend of Extension Award; St. James A.M.E. Church member and steward; prior co-chair for Marion County March for Babies; Marion County Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors since 2012.
Military experience | None
Question | What do you think is the biggest issue in your district and how would you address it?
Answer | Attracting new businesses, supporting existing businesses, including our farming partners and equality in education opportunities throughout the state. We must work with our District 30 industries to employ a skilled workforce to help keep those industries here and attract more employers to our area. We must achieve this through cooperative efforts of the local economic development leaders, local government-both county and municipal-the Department of Commerce and your legislative delegation. A commitment to training our workers through the technical colleges, our local high schools and planting the seeds of learning in our early education programs sets the framework for future success.
This story was originally published June 11, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Meet the candidates of State Senate District 30."