By Stephanie Tracy Oconee-Pickens Bureau
June 23, 2005

A political newcomer concerned about what he sees as the lack of a clear agenda on key issues will challenge Republican Rep. Gresham Barrett for his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Democrat Lee Ballenger, 40, a veteran public school teacher and administrator from Greenwood, said he wanted to lend his voice to the Democratic minority in the House.

Mr. Ballenger listed the rising national debt, the Iraq war and the continuing loss of local manufacturing jobs to other countries as some of his most important concerns.

"Under the leadership of (U.S. Rep. John) Spratt (D-S.C.), there have been several initiatives to pay down the national debt, and I believe the Democrats under Spratt could get something passed with more Democratic support," Mr. Ballenger said.

The first-time candidate will oppose the congressman in the November 2006 general election for the 3rd Congressional District seat including Anderson, Oconee, Pickens, Abbeville, McCormick, Greenwood, Laurens, Edgefield, Saluda and Aiken counties.

Mr. Barrett, who went unchallenged for his second term, holds seats on the budget, financial services and international relations House committees.

Mr. Ballenger most recently taught Spanish at Laurens High School and will become the assistant principal at Ware Shoals High School this fall.

Prior to his school career, Mr. Ballenger served for six years in the U.S. Navy as a missile fire control technician. He was recognized for his service in the Iran-Iraq War and the Persian Gulf and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for saving the life of a comrade.

Mr. Ballenger was graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, N.C., and a master's degree from Winthrop University.

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