Full Interview with James Smith

Representative James Smith is currently running for governor as a Democrat. He has served extensively in the Army National Guard including tours to Afghanistan and currently is a lawmaker in the South Carolina House of Representatives. I got a chance to speak to him on Saturday to discuss his policies and the gubernatorial race.

You are in the State House right now. What caused you to run for governor and not seek reelection?

Well you know, I felt like we needed some change in leadership in South Carolina that�s actually going to focus on getting things done. There were a number of things I really looked at and felt like we were falling short, in particularly working families in our state are finding it harder and harder to get by. So, I look to improve quality access to healthcare, which I know I can do immediately as governor by a South Carolina healthcare plan that�s going to cover hundreds of thousands of South Carolinians that are not covered today. It will also deliver 40,000 new jobs to our state and two billion dollars annually to help move South Carolina in the right direction. Also, our roads and our infrastructure are crumbling because we don�t have leadership that�s willing to improve things. I know this through serving in the state house, my community and serving overseas that there are always challenges leaders face, are they going to choose their future or are they going to choose South Carolina�s future? I will never fail that test.

When Dick Riley endorsed you this past week he said that you were the �education governor.�

Yeah, he did. You know Dick Riley was one of my personal political heroes growing up and he inspired me at a young age as just somebody who is committed to service above self and committed to South Carolina and as Governor, he set the standard. He did bring about an education renaissance and I believe it is time for a second renaissance. I was incredibly humbled to receive his endorsement.

What are you going to do as the �education governor� to bring about this second renaissance as you call it?

Well, a couple of things. We�re going to look at a few pilot projects. But first we are going to elevate the role, importance, and status of teachers. And it�s not just about money. But money is important but we�ve got to have, I think, a new system that is called looping where you get this team, a team of five teachers, two with more experience and three that are younger and they are with kids, not just for a year, but they stay with that class first through fourth. There�s mutual support among the teachers that are involved in that team. Kind of like coaches are you�ve heard of those involved in athletics where coaches are the most influential people in their lives and have a lasting impact. We want teachers to have a more regular involved role. So, we�re looking at that and we are also looking at lowering class sizes, particularly in the early years. I authored our first ever �First Steps to School Readiness,� it was our early childhood education initiative. Very much needed. Not existing at the time. I think we need to continue to support that and expand access to high quality childcare across our state because single parent families are having a tough time making sure their kids get a quality education at a young age.

This is the first time since before I was alive that it looks like a Democrat has a good chance to win the governor seat.

We have a great chance to win this race.

What are you going to do to attract independent voters?

Well, you know I am going to try to do what I have always done. In elections that I have won in the state house, I�ve always attracted independent and even moderate Republicans. I�ve gotten a lot of support from Republicans over the years. And it�s not, it�s not always an issue-oriented decision. They trust my judgement and believe I will look out for their concerns. I really think there is a shared frustration that Democrats, Independents, and Republicans see in our government. A shared disappointment because it is not looking out for them and not serving as it should. I�ve lived a life committed to that service and I think people will respond to it. All across the political spectrum.

Catherine Templeton, your Republican opponent, she looks like she has a chance of winning the Republican nomination.

Well, yeah, I know she�s still in the primary. But, you know, I�m not running against anybody. I�m running for South Carolina.

Would it be beneficial for you to run against Templeton or would you rather run against someone else?

I�m really not concerned about who is the Republican nominee at all. I�m more concerned about the needs of South Carolina. That�s what is on my mind.

Last question, it�s more of a national issue right now, do you think Senator Al Franken should resign from his seat?

You know, I don�t know enough about that whole thing to comment. But, he�s a smart guy and I�m sure he will govern himself appropriately. From what I understood, and I don�t know enough about the circumstances or whatever that took place, but I understand and heard that he has apologized for what he had done and is asking for forgiveness. I don�t know if I really know enough to comment about it. I could learn and them come back to you to comment about it. Anyways.

Thank you, it�s been a pleasure.

You bet, likewise.

Actually, I�d like to add a comment on that last question. I need to clarify on what I said.

Do you want it recorded?

Yes, yeah.

So, I think it�s important to add that sexual harassment and sexual assault should not be tolerated. And we certainly should expect our elected leaders to exhibit behavior that is far above and beyond any of that. And wherever it is, it should be condemned. It should not be there, it should be ratted out from that environment. And that doesn�t matter if you are a Republican or Democrat, it�s the same across the board. We should all be held by a high standard. And that should never be allowed. I think it was important to say that.

You can check out his campaign at jamessmith.com.