Weston Newton (Rep.), the incumbent, and Kate Creech (Dem), a first-time candidate, are running for the District 120 seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives. District 120 candidates represent residents living in parts of Beaufort and Jasper counties, primarily south of Broad River.

Newton and Creech bring different priorities and experiences at the table. Before Election Day, both candidates were asked about the priorities of the residents they represent.

The question was: Based on your interactions with District 120 residents, what is the top local issue they tell you about? In your opinion, is this something that could be addressed during the next term? What specific steps would you take to try to resolve this problem, if elected?

While Newton said infrastructure, roads and bridges were a priority for District 120 voters, Creech said supporting and funding public schools was the top concern of residents she spoke to.

Prioritize local infrastructure projects

Concerns about inflation and the high cost of living, Newton said, are the resounding theme he hears from his District 120 constituents.

“How can a young teacher afford to live on Hilton Head?” How can a young police officer or firefighter afford to live in Bluffton, Beaufort or Hardeeville? he asked, adding that these issues pose an ongoing challenge to governing bodies at all levels.

At the state level, he said, they have worked to alleviate some of those concerns. Continue to prioritize the housing tax credit program, accelerated income tax cuts, teacher pay raises, and firefighter income tax cuts and law enforcement could help resolve these issues at the local level, he said.

However, Newton said infrastructure, roads and bridges are a more localized concern that District 120 voters care about.

Although it is an issue that cannot be resolved in a single term, he said, progress has already been made. The current delegation in the State House is working with the South Carolina Department of Transportation to expedite the widening of I-95, he said.

“It doesn’t stop at I-95,” he said, citing traffic issues on Argent Boulevard. and US 278.

Newton said that if he is re-elected, he and the rest of the delegation will continue to work with SCDOT to ensure they understand the importance of the projects here and that “state resources are devoted in a manner appropriate for solving these problems and challenges. here in this part of South Carolina.

Supporting public schools, teachers and students

One of the biggest issues Creech hears about from District 120 residents, she said, is the lack of support and funding for public schools.

“I absolutely know this needs to be a priority in the next legislative session,” Creech said.

Creech raised concerns about the statewide teacher shortage, which she said is the result of “attacks on public education,” including book challenges and bans in public schools and libraries.

Even if the The South Carolina Supreme Court has finally ruled that parts of the Scholarship Trust Fund Act 2023 violated the state constitution’s ban on using public funds for the “direct benefit” of private schools, Creech added, “it must be said that the decision to press the use of the money of public taxpayers to fund the voucher program will only cause our public schools to continue to collapse.

She also noted that there was a vacancy on the South Carolina Board of Education for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, which includes Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. Without a representative on site, she said, the district has no one to advocate for the needs of public schools, teachers and students.

Creech said that if elected, she would serve as a “voice of common sense and reason” on issues facing public schools and vote for increased funding for public education to give children “the opportunity to receive the high-quality education they deserve and are entitled to. »