By Marguerite Willis, special to Statehouse Report | As I have campaigned all across our state these last months, people have repeatedly asked me, “Why in the world are you doing this, Marguerite?” My standard answer is that I am a practical problem solver, our state has tough problems, and I think I can help.
For almost 40 years, my career as an attorney has been all about tackling complicated business problems. It’s what I do best. And, as I look around this state, I see firsthand the big issues we face as South Carolinians. For example, poverty. I see not just pockets of poverty but systemic poverty where hundreds of thousands of our neighbors are living in terrible conditions. Many don’t have clean water or access to decent affordable health care. Too many of our children go to schools ranked dead last in the nation. And far too many just don’t have jobs or the skills to do the jobs of the 21st Century.
And, sadly, things haven’t changed all that much over time. In 1968, U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings took a “poverty tour” of South Carolina. If you go back and look at the videos and read the news clips from that era, you’ll find a frightening picture – a picture which still abides today. Simply stated, this is not alright with me. So, I am stepping forward to take on the big issues – like poverty, prison reform and access to affordable health care – and I will be joined in this mission by S.C. Sen. John Scott, a man who has dedicated his life to public service. A man who shares my commitment to leave no South Carolinian behind.
But there is another reason I’m running for governor, a private reason.
As we approach the end of this primary campaign, I’ve been doing some tough thinking about the future. Now granted I’m only 68 years old and in good health, but in the end, we never know when our time is up. One day, however, I will face my Maker and He will ask, “Marguerite, what have you done with the gifts I have given you?” My answer will be this: I woke up every morning and I did my best to try to help my neighbors.
I love this state and its people. I believe I am called to offer my talents, and my heart, to help. And that is my private reason for running, and that is my truth.
Marguerite Willis is a Columbia antitrust attorney who lives in Florence with her husband, the city’s former mayor. More: http://www.willisgov.com
EDITOR’S NOTE: Through June 12, Statehouse Report is running opinion pieces by gubernatorial candidates with primary challengers. Five Republicans and three Democratic candidates for governor have been invited to submit messages they want to share with voters.
Recent candidate contributors
- GOP, McGill: South Carolina is worth fighting for (April 19)
- GOP, Templeton: “The called me the ‘Buzzsaw’” (May 3)
- GOP, Warren: “We deserve better from our leaders” (May 10)
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