Young guns bring excitement, hope to politics

By WARREN BOLTON

Associate editor

DESPITE OVERALL poor voter turnout during last month’s primaries, some bright, young black candidates created noteworthy excitement in House races in and around the Midlands.

While some people questioned whether they had paid their dues or were ready for the Legislature, the candidates energized voters and won their support. I believe they particularly appeal to a growing number of people who desire new leadership that is relevant, active and responsive.

I heard that kind of talk from folks in Richland County House District 73, where Rep. Joe Brown had served long and faithfully. Rep. Brown worked hard to regain his seat, but it was newcomer Chris Hart who captured people’s interest — and votes.

One young voter told me she had known Mr. Hart growing up. No one among their peers expected him to be as successful as he has become. When she and others learned the young attorney was running, and had an opportunity to hear him talk about what he’d like to accomplish, they were determined to vote for him.

To many, Mr. Hart, Anton Gunn of Richland County and Bakari Sellers from the Bamberg-Orangeburg area represent a new breed that brings fresh hope. They’re not simply ambitious. They want to serve. They have a desire to govern and set policy. They articulate a broader vision that considers more than just their immediate constituency.

These young men aren’t the type who would be satisfied with passing a few local bills and resolutions and doing a handful of favors for folks in their districts. They want to improve South Carolina, from its education to its economy to its ability to meet the many other needs of its people.

Mr. Hart and Mr. Sellers won tremendous victories over much older, long-serving House members. Mr. Hart, 33, defeated Rep. Brown, 73, who had served for 20 years. Mr. Sellers, 21, defeated Rep. Thomas Rhoad, 82, who had served District 90 voters since 1983. Mr. Hart and Mr. Sellers have no opposition in November and will serve the next two years.

Mr. Gunn, who defeated Todd Wood in the Democratic primary, has a tough challenge in November, when he faces Republican Bill Cotty. Mr. Cotty, 59, has served in the House since 1995. He showed significant strength in defeating Sheri Few in the District 79 Republican primary. He overcame strong opposition from groups that had targeted pro-education Republicans. Mr. Gunn, 33, would have to pull off a huge upset to win this seat.

But Mr. Gunn, in his first campaign, is a game competitor. He articulates his vision well. He believes South Carolina can become a great state, despite its problems. His passion is contagious. We need leaders like that.

He is convinced he is the one to serve District 79, which has changed significantly in recent years in terms of demographics; while still majority Republican, it isn’t as solidly GOP as it once was. More and more African-Americans and others are moving to the area. Many newcomers hail not just from outside Columbia, but from out of state.

Mr. Gunn will appeal to lots of voters because of his sound grasp of issues and his ability to make connections. The question is whether he can sway enough voters in the district, many of whom have long backed Mr. Cotty. Is the timing right? Mr. Gunn and his supporters believe it is.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sellers, the son of civil rights activist Cleveland Sellers, will become the youngest member of the General Assembly and one of the youngest ever to serve. The USC law school student and Morehouse graduate knocked off the House’s third-longest-serving member despite questions among some Democrats about whether he is ready to serve in the Legislature.

That’s a reasonable question. But there might be more to it than that. For far too long, there has been this tendency to side with long-serving incumbents, no matter what. There’s this unwritten rule among some that younger folks have to “pay their dues” before ascending to a certain office.

While old-style political leaders might continue to think that way, newer, younger voters are moving in the other direction. I’ve written a lot over the years about the rising black leadership. Young black professionals have been waiting for their opportunity to shine. We’ve seen them slowly begin to take their places, whether it’s with Rep. Todd Rutherford’s win over incumbent Rep. Alma Byrd in 1998 or Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine’s becoming Columbia’s first black city official elected at-large in 2002.

Hopes were really high following the 1998 elections, when Gov. Jim Hodges appointed a number of young African-Americans to his staff. Gina Wood was named director of the Department of Juvenile Justice; Rick Wade was director of the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services; Steve Benjamin was director of Probation, Pardon and Parole; and Jim Stuckey was the governor’s chief legal counsel.

Mr. Benjamin would later run for attorney general, and Mr. Wade sought the secretary of state seat. Both were unsuccessful, but left positive impressions.

If promising young candidates continue to run, the future looks bright for South Carolina.

Also, it could signal an end to the days of long-term officeholders continuing to be re-elected without a challenge. They’ll have to stay engaged and effective or face being replaced by new, progressive leaders who are out to set new standards that better appeal to voters.

Reach Mr. Bolton at (803) 771-8631 or wbolton@thestate.com.