Share and Follow
AIKEN, S.C. – Democratic hopefuls in South Carolina made their way to Aiken on Wednesday, March 4, to engage with local voters and present their visions for change in the Palmetto State.
Among the candidates was South Carolina Attorney Mullins McLeod, who is vying for the governorship. Alongside him, Brandon Brown, a former Senior Vice President at Paine College, is challenging the incumbent Lindsey Graham for his Senate seat.
As they addressed the crowd, each candidate shared their perspectives on the pressing issues facing the state. McLeod, with a fervent call for reform, remarked, “The truth of the matter is right now, the people of South Carolina have no power and they have no voice. They’re trapped in an incredibly broken and corrupt political system. Right now, the only interests that are served in Columbia are these foreign for-profits who line the pockets of their politician friends. The cure to this cancer of corruption is servant leadership, and that’s why I’m running for governor.”
Brown outlined his priorities with a focus on improving healthcare and education. “First, I want to expand healthcare. I want to accept Medicaid and Medicare, I want to protect rural hospitals, and I want to make sure our seniors are getting the therapy that they deserve so they can come back and add in to our societies,” he stated. “I want to make sure that we expand education opportunities, and I want to make sure that I do everything I can to protect the people who serve us, which is veterans.”
These Democratic candidates aim to resonate with citizens who are eager for systemic change and committed to addressing the needs of the community. As the race unfolds, their platforms will continue to shape the conversation around South Carolina’s future.
State Representative Jermaine Johnson, who is running for governor, joined in via videocall to speak to constituents as well.
“For far too often we have been concerned with what Fox News or CNN and everybody else is talking about when the people in South Carolina, they just want healthcare. They just want safer neighborhoods. They want better schools. They want opportunity to thrive. They want affordability,” Johnson said. “And I think it’s time for us to start calling all those issues, those kitchen table issues for the people of South Carolina so that we can start helping families across the state.”
The primary for the governor’s race is in June, while the election for governor and senate will be held in November.
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie