The death of Rep. Walter Lloyd, D-Walterboro, in April has opened up the historically Colleton County seat for a fifth resident Beaufort County legislator.
District 121 comprises more than 14,000 registered voters in Beaufort and Colleton counties, with 62 percent in northern Beaufort County, including Yemassee and Sheldon, part of Burton, all of Pigeon Point and downtown Beaufort north of North Street and west of Charles Street.
Both candidates stressed this week that they would represent the entire district and weigh decisions on the needs of the communities.
"People have made it a county versus county issue," said Bailey. "I don't see it that way."
Dralle said interaction with the community will be his priority.
"I've only met four people that knew their representative," he said of campaigning.
The candidates said they both support building a $450 million deep-water shipping terminal on the Savannah River. Jasper County has been pursuing the port for more than a decade, but the S.C. State Ports Authority has sought to block what could be a boon for the Lowcountry's more impoverished counties.
Dralle said the state should work with Jasper to develop the port. Bailey suggested ancillary benefits could include business development for District 121 along the Interstate 95 corridor.
"That's a great economic engine and a great opportunity," she said.
Among the communities in the House district is the poor Sheldon community. A study paid for by state community development dollars will be completed this summer, outlining needs and desires of the community in hopes of building business in the area.
Bailey said broadening educational opportunities will be important in attracting industries. Too often, students are unprepared to take on the jobs available in the work force. Schools should expand trade opportunities to prepare students, providing a skilled work force for industries.
"Once we get education fixed," she said, "that'll draw more industry to the area."
Bailey said the state is putting enough money into schools, but the state should likely redirect some of those funds.
"We're fully funding education," she said. "But more of the money that's already there needs to go to the classroom."
While federal standards increasingly target underperforming schools, Dralle suggested that state programs should benefit successful schools and educators.
"We reward the good schools, we reward the good teachers and we reward the good students," he said. Rewards could include increased funding for schools and teachers and meritorious awards for students.
Property tax increases have been a consistent concern for residents following reassessments in 2004 that left some tax bills at more than five times more than 2003 numbers.
Dralle suggested that the burden on taxpayers could be lessened by eliminating personal property taxes. It's unfair to charge the annual tax on cars, boats and other taxable property, Dralle said.
"You can't just keep charging a tax year after year after year," he said.
Though he doesn't have figures, Dralle said the lost revenue might be replaced by eliminating a $300 statewide cap for sales tax on automobiles. Without a cap, a 5 percent sales tax on a $20,000 car could produce $1,000 in revenue.