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Date Published: October 10, 2004
Voters should take time to learn about candidates
Local campaigns are starting to heat up as the
Nov. 2 general election fast approaches and candidates participate
in debates, forums and fund-raisers.
Fortunately, we seem to
have many capable candidates running with at least one priority in
mind: making Sumter County a better place to work, learn, live and
play.
The mayoral race has two “friends” pitted against each
other with different ideas on how to make Sumter prosper well into
the future. Their first public exchange came Wednesday evening at
Sunset Country Club, at an event hosted by the Forum, an
organization of professional and civic-minded women.
Edsel
“Whit” Whitaker is running on the premise that he is a
businessperson and not a politician. Mayor Joe McElveen retorted
that anyone who runs for office immediately becomes a politician.
The recent controversy over the direction of the Sumter County
Development Board after the departure of former President Steve Rust
has the candidates squaring off on this very important issue and
what direction needs to be taken.
McElveen and Whitaker both
have strong ties to the community, having grown up here, and it’s
hard to deny that both gentlemen have the best intentions of Sumter
at heart.
Also squaring off Wednesday night were the two
candidates for Sumter County sheriff, Republican Robbie Baker and
Democrat Anthony Dennis. They have similar platforms; both are sick
and tired of crime in our community and plan several new initiatives
to rid Sumter of our unproductive elements. Voters owe it to
themselves and the community to educate themselves about both
candidates before deciding which will do the best job for Sumter
County.
Arguably the most heated race locally is for state
Senate District 35 with incumbent Democrat Phil Leventis pitted
against Republican Dickie Jones. Gov. Mark Sanford was in town
Thursday to help campaign for Jones. He made it clear, however, that
he was not here to campaign against Leventis but rather to “speak
for somebody.”
Jones is a newcomer to the political arena
but brings his love of Sumter and lifelong residency here to the
table. Leventis can counter with more than 24 years of experience
and seniority in the state Senate. No doubt this race will go down
to the wire.
Other races of interest include the coroner’s
race between incumbent Democrat Verna Moore and Republican
challenger Kim Motley. Another close race will be between Democrat
Jamie Campbell and Republican Debbie Mathis for the clerk of court
position left vacant by the retirement of the venerable O.V.
Player.
Sumter County Council has two contested races while
Sumter City Council has just one. The auditor and the treasurer’s
race are both uncontested. However, supporters of incumbent Jomarie
Crocker are publicizing a write-in candidacy after Crocker was
soundly defeated in the primary election by fellow Democrat Lauretha
McCants.
School boards in Sumter and Clarendon counties have
several candidates running for various seats within the districts.
If you live in any of the areas being contested, take the time to
research the candidates.
In short, all our local races will
be fought out until Election Day and could very well be decided by
small margins come Nov. 2.
Voters must continue to keep
themselves informed about the real issues facing our community and
where the candidates stand. Read the newspaper, attend a debate or
even try and meet the candidates so you can be informed about whom
you should vote for and why you should do so.
Having the most
yard signs around town or bumper stickers on cars shouldn’t be your
criteria when entering the voting booth. Instead, spend the next
four weeks doing your homework and make an educated choice for the
future of Sumter.
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October 12, 2004 
