October 31, 2024
Get some background in the local candidates running for office in York County.
With the 2024 presidential election soon coming to a close, it can be easy to focus on only deciding who we want to lead our country for the next four years. After all, most media coverage at election time focuses primarily on the presidential candidates, their running vice presidents, and their policies, since it would be impossible to cover every state and their district’s candidates.
However, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are not the only names local voters will see on their ballots.
An often-overlooked aspect of the general election are the candidates running for other positions, such as representatives for the State House, County Council, Coroner, and others. Often these positions are run unopposed, but it is still vital as a voter to understand who these candidates are before a vote is officially cast for them.
Currently, Wes Climer and Sarah Work are running against each other for the District 15 York Senate seat.
Wes Climer, Republican, has held this position since 2016. As an experienced Senator, Climer’s website holds information regarding his opinions on the major issues and topics arising throughout York County. He describes himself as Conservative and expresses that “[as] the father of five young children, [he] is committed to protecting traditional conservative values and pushing back against the liberal social agenda.” His website also states that he is “pro-life, pro-law enforcement, against liberal indoctrination in our schools, and will always defend our 2nd Amendment rights.”
Sarah Work, Alliance, has further aspirations to be the South Carolina Treasurer. On her website, she expresses that “[she has] worked in public accounting and [has] seen firsthand the challenges and rewards of proper planning.” She also writes that “[she wants] to work hard to prepare South Carolina for a financially stable future.” As a certified public accountant, Work aims to use her professional experience to make South Carolina “ready for anything, so that our future, our children can thrive.”
Another two representatives running head-to-head are Matt Vilardebo and David Martin for the York District 26 State House in Fort Mill.
Matt Vilardebo, Democrat, writes on his website that he is “committed to bringing progressive leadership to South Carolina—focused on improving infrastructure, investing in public education, and ensuring access to healthcare for all.” He also states that he “believes in the potential of South Carolina to thrive under new, forward-thinking leadership, and he’s ready to fight for that future.” While this is Vilardebo’s second political venture in York County, he aims to be dedicated to “building a better, safer, and more inclusive community” in Fort Mill.
David Martin, Republican, has run his law firm in Rock Hill since 2018 that was listed in the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in the United States. He’s decided to shift his focus from firm to State due to his “deep love for his community.” His website expresses that he aims to “protect South Carolina’s conservative values by reducing government restrictions on business, reducing taxes and lowering inflation for businesses and individuals, advocating for our public schools, and protecting individual freedoms across the state.”
For the 5th District Congress in South Carolina, Evangeline Hundley and Ralph Norman are two major representatives this election season.
Evangeline Hundley, Democrat, also a graduate of Winthrop University, has decided to run for Congress “because we need real, lasting change in S.C.’s District 5 and in my state” as she writes on her site. She also states that “[her] vision is to see the people of South Carolina be healthier, wealthier, and wiser… [by] running to serve the people, not corporations.” She also values the addition of “diversity of culture and gender to S.C.’s US Congressional Representative body.” As a representative, Hundley states that she is “willing, ready, and able to be that leadership and go to work for [her] constituents” should she be elected.
Ralph Norman, Republican, has held this position since 2017. Describing himself as “a South Carolinian for Life,” Norman “has served with a number of organizations dedicated to improving the community, including the York County Home Builders Association, the Children’s Attention Home, the Salvation Army, and the Medical University of South Carolina Board of Visitors” as he writes on his website. He describes his time and efforts as having “consistently voted in favor of limited government, individual liberties, and sound financial policies” and done his utmost to uphold the values of his party and represent that of his state.
It is vital to know all the names on the upcoming ballot instead of just the presidential candidates. It is not called a “general election” for nothing! Early voting in South Carolina began on Oct. 21 and runs until Nov. 2. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, and it is vital to go out and participate in voting to enact the change one wishes to see in their government: locally and nationally.
David Martin and family; from his website (https://www.martinforhouse.com/about-us)
Matt Vilardebo; from his website (https://mattv4sc.com/)
Evangeline Hundley; from her website (https://ehundleyforcongress.com/about/)
Ralph Norman; from his website (https://norman.house.gov/meet-ralph/)
