By Bob Gatty
Horry County Democratic Party (HCDP Chair Don Kohn today congratulated the winners of the June 9 primary election and said they have the Party’s full support heading into the November 3 general election.
Challenging incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rice for the District 7 seat will be educator Melissa Watson, who defeated two other candidates, State Rep. Robert Williams and William “Cowboy” Williams, with 50 percent of the vote.
Incumbent SC Senators Kent Williams (District 30) and Ronnie Sabb (District 32) and state Rep. Lucas Atkinson (Dist. 57) easily defeated their opponents to secure the Democratic nomination for their seats.
“We’re absolutely committed to electing Democratic candidates in November, and that includes helping Joe Biden defeat Donald Trump and Jaime Harrison send Sen. Lindsey Graham packing,” said Kohn. “We have an outstanding, highly capable candidate, Melissa Watson, now in place and ready to challenge Tom Rice.”
Watson, former Rookie Teacher of the Year at Baptist Hill High School, holds an undergraduate degree from the College of Charleston, a graduate degree from the Citadel and is a doctoral candidate at the University of Phoenix. She was co-chair of Senator Kamala Harris’s campaign for president, chair of Berkeley County Democratic Party, and the South Carolina Democratic Party’s deputy secretary as well as numerous other campaign and volunteer positions in Democratic politics.
Watson is running on the platform of bringing common sense and middle-class values to Washington. She supports increasing the minimum wage, hopes to bring green jobs to South Carolina, and plans to fight for small business loans to minorities.
Watson is adamant about increasing education funding to ensure all students will be prepared for the future. Part of her plan is to secure tax credits for businesses that create partnerships with local schools to provide services and technology.
Watson also backs increased funding to improve South Carolina infrastructure to preserve the tourist industry that is so crucial to our economy. She is a strong supporter of the environment and vows to never allow off-shore drilling. She wants to preserve forests, rivers, lakes, and streams and to invest in wind energy.
Her goal is to make healthcare more affordable and accessible and will fight to protect women’s reproductive rights. Although she is a Second Amendment supporter, she will fight to close the loopholes and reinstate the assault weapons ban and has met the criteria set by Moms Demand Action.
Joining Democratic primary election winners mentioned above, along with former Vice President Joe Biden and Jaime Harrison on the November 3 ballot will be these candidates who were unopposed in the primary:
SC Senate Dist. 34 – Emily Cegledy
SC House Dist. 55 – Jackie Hayes
SC House Dist. 56 – Bruce Fischer
SC House Dist. 103 – Rev. Carl Anderson
Board of Education Dist. 9 – Edward Robinson
HCDP will mount an aggressive campaign to help all of our Democratic candidates, said Kohn, noting that the coronavirus pandemic has forced the organization to postpone or cancel key fundraising events that had been planned.
“Nevertheless, we will do everything we can to elect Democratic candidates in what will be a transformation election on November 3,” he pledged. “But we do need to raise funds to support this effort, so if you can help HCDP, please visit Horry Democrats.org and click on the big green Donate button at the top of the home page.”
