Political veteran, newcomer to clash in District 19 race

e-mail this story More details LUANNE TAYLOR Age: 48 Occupation: Field researcher for Judge Judy and Judge Joe Brown shows Education: Parker High, 1974; BS Furman University, 2000; Master of Social Work USC, 2004 Political experience: none Affiliation: Democrat Last book read: "The Homegrown Democrat" by Garrison Keillor DWIGHT LOFTIS Age: 61 Occupation: Owns insurance company Education: Travelers Rest High 1961; AA North Greenville College 1966 Political experience: State representative since 1996, Greenville County School Board 1992-1996 Last Book Read: Margaret Thatcher's "The Downing Street Years"

Luanne McIntyre Taylor, a Democrat, is challenging Republican Rep. Dwight Loftis for the District 19 House seat he has held since 1996.

The turf is the northwest section of Greenville from the Pickens line to Paris Mountain. It includes Berea, Furman University and White Horse Road areas. The area, which has been trending Republican, has seen a large influx of Hispanics in the past few years.

Loftis, 61, has been a political fixture in District 19 since 1992 when he was elected to the county school board. He moved to the State House in 1996, winning the election to fill the term of Mike Fair, who is now a state Senator.

Taylor, 48, got interested in politics after trying to prevent the closing of Parker Middle School last year. She said she couldn't get politicians to rally around her cause.

"That's what stirred me up and lit my fire," she said.

She soon found that the vast majority of political races in South Carolina go unopposed. She believes competition creates a better political system.

"South Carolina is high on the undesirable lists and low on the desirable lists," she said. "I think if more people were involved we could change those numbers."

Taylor, who has lived in Pickens for the past 14 years, moved to the district to run. She grew up in the district Area, having graduated from Parker High in 1974.

"My roots are here," he said.

Despite being on opposite sides of the political party fence, Loftis and Taylor share some ideas on how to fix problems.

Both want to reorganize state government to eliminate unnecessary agencies and positions.

Loftis said too many times there are different people at different state agencies doing the same jobs.

"Reorganization can be more efficient," he said.

Taylor believes prioritizing the state budget to prevent overlapping of state agencies will prevent a lot of headaches.

"We have vital state agencies in deep financial trouble and our General Assembly continuously made across the board cuts instead of cutting more from non-essential agencies," she said.

Both want to strengthen K-12 schooling, which they feel is not meeting the needs of all students.

Taylor said money possibly from lottery funds can be used to help fund schools.

Loftis said he would like to see changes made to the accountability system. He said the PACT system is too general and doesn't give schools or parents a true idea if students are making progress.

"You look at the grades and ask yourself what does it mean?" he said.

Both want to see the state budget spread out more.

Taylor points to low funding in the Department of Corrections; low number of state troopers; problems with the Mental Health system; low graduation rates; and Department of Social Services woes as areas of concern.

Loftis believes the state's budget will be stronger this year, which would lead to some agencies getting more money.

Both want to see their district grow, but want to make sure it's done right especially after a devastating flood swamped the area in July.

Loftis said the flood was a fluke of nature but wants new development not to encroach on flood plains or cause unnecessary runoff.

Taylor wants to see developers wait until all permits are secure before beginning projects.