Originally published in The Daily Gamecock.
By: Sarah Peterman, Staff Writer
On Wednesday evening, gubernatorial candidate Jim Rex spoke to the College Democrats about the upcoming Democratic primary and his platform.
About 40 students gathered to hear what Rex had to say.
“These events allow people to get to know who is running for public office,” said Heather Singleton, a fourth-year political science student. “People can make informed decisions based on facts instead of propaganda.”
Rex is focusing his campaign on changing the public education system in South Carolina. He is currently the Superintendent for Education and is the only statewide elected Democrat.
“I’ve seen firsthand the power of education and how it can be a great equalizer,” Rex said. “It gives everyone the opportunity to live out the American dream.”
Rex grew up with little money and worked in construction and in a factory before deciding to go to college. He then was an English teacher and football coach. Rex went on to be the Vice President for University Advancement at USC, the Dean of Education at Winthrop University and Coastal Carolina University and the President of Columbia College.
Rex promotes a choice-driven innovative school system. This model includes schools with single-gender classrooms, Montessori programs, magnet schools and public charter schools.
Despite many setbacks in the public education system, Rex said we are “a state on the move.” South Carolina has been ranked No. 1 in high school graduation rate and SAT improvement.
Rex connected education rates with the workforce in the state.
“You cannot have a 21st century public school system in a state stuck in the 19th or 20th century,” Rex said. “The economic battlefield of the future is going to be won by the nation who does the best job of educating their human capital.”
Rex also notes the importance of protecting South Carolina’s natural environment. He is concerned with coal plants and air and river quality in the state.
Rex also said that a professionally developed marketing plan is needed to act as damage control for many of South Carolina’s recent blunders, such as Sanford’s trip to Argentina and Joe Wilson’s outburst.
The candidate also notes that running as a Democrat in a Southern, Republican state is not an easy task, but maintaining diversity in the state government is more important than ever.
“I have passed a number of unanimous votes in the House and the Senate,” Rex said. “My election will require the votes of independents and moderate Republicans as well.”
Rex knows that, if elected, he will have to satisfy not only those who voted for him, but others as well.
“I believe that when a person is elected to a public office they have a responsibility to the people who voted for them, those who didn’t and those who didn’t vote at all,” Rex said.
Merrill Walker, a third-year political science and women’s studies student and upcoming president for the College Democrats, said, “We hope through these events that people become more aware of what the issues are and what the candidates’ platforms are.”
Walker hopes that Rex’s visit will help build interest in the election process.
“A lot of people don’t understand the importance of local and state elections, but we’re trying to get more people involved in local politics,” Walker said.
The statewide primaries will be held in June, determining the Republican and Democrat candidates for the election in November.
Tags: College Democrats