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reprint or license thisSellers ready to get to work
With no opposition, 21-year-old law student is likely to become lawmaker
By WAYNE WASHINGTON
wwashington@thestate.com
“They say first-time legislators, well, they tend to be quiet that first
session. I don’t plan to be quiet.”
BAKARI SELLERS: Democratic candidate
for state House of Representatives
BAMBERG — All but hidden between rows of buildings off U.S. 78, Bell Street is more alley than street.
The only reason anyone ventures down Bell is to get to Raider’s Alley, a squat, cinder-block structure that serves chicken drummies and beer. But the eats, good as they’re said to be, were not the main attraction July 18.
No, two or three dozen area Democrats — young and old, black and white — filed in that night for a local party meeting and a chance to congratulate their golden boy, Bakari Sellers.
Sellers, 21, pulled off one of the surprises of the June 13 primary, defeating Rep. Thomas Rhoad, a fellow Democrat elected to the state House of Representatives before his young opponent was born.
Sellers had the story: Morehouse College graduate, USC law student, son of well-known South Carolina civil rights figure Cleveland Sellers, who was shot and later jailed protesting the segregation of a bowling alley in 1968.
Sellers did the work. He knocked on hundreds of doors in the Bamberg-Orangeburg area district, scrounging for votes, pledging to bring a tighter focus to economic development and school improvement.
But next year — unless there is a successful write-in candidate against him this fall; there is no Republican on the November ballot — the hard part starts for Sellers. He’ll have to make his own way in a General Assembly that thrives on friendships and deal-making.
Being a 21-year-old law school student and son of a prominent civil rights figure might make a great story, but it won’t count for much in the General Assembly.
Still, if the smiles and hugs that Sellers received are any indication, hopes for him are high.
“He’s not just concerned about addressing the concerns of African-Americans but the concerns of all people, regardless of race or ethnic type,” said Brenda Barnett of Denmark. “He’s people-oriented. He’s very concerned, and he engages us.”
Few offered up any worries about Sellers’ age.
“I think he’s going to do well,” said Genrose Brayce of Bamberg County. “He’s young, but he’s willing to learn. He’ll need help from the others there, but I think he’ll be OK.”
As Brayce spoke, Sellers, dressed in a charcoal-colored suit, greeted well-wishers like a groom. There was a stream of hands to shake and women to hug. Some future constituents wanted a picture.
In remarks before the meet-and-greet, Sellers said he plans to be an atypical freshman legislator.
“They say first-time legislators, well, they tend to be quiet that first session. I don’t plan to be quiet. We’ve been quiet for too long.”
Sellers later gave his fellow Democrats a supplement to the drummies they would later devour.
“We have kids in trailers,” he said. “When it rains, they have to walk through the mud to get to class. That’s the reality here in Bamberg County. That’s not something you’ll see (Republican Education Superintendent candidate) Karen Floyd talk about. That’s not something you’ll see (Gov.) Mark Sanford or the other big-name Republicans talk about. So it’s incumbent upon us to fix these problems.”
Finally able to get a plate of food for himself, Sellers nibbled as he said what he’d like his first bill to address: expanding water service capacity in the Denmark area.
It’s not the sexiest of topics, Sellers conceded, but it’s hard to bring in development without enough water.
While the push to bring more water to the Denmark area looms next year, these summer months will be filled with events like the one at Raider’s Alley.
“I’m just trying to tell as many people ‘Thank you’ as I can. That keeps me busy.”
Reach Senior Writer Wayne Washington at (803) 771-8385.
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