Roasted: Coffee with Ed Carter

Ed Carter, running for S.C. House District 97, sat down with Patch and concerned voters Thursday at .

Coffee with the Candidates is 4:30 p.m. Thursdays.

The next and last installment of Coffee with the Candidates is 4:30 p.m. June 7 at Coastal Coffee and features John Hull, challenger for Dorchester County District 4. 

Carter faces a battle in the Republican primary June 12. .

Here is a recap of Thursday's conversation with Carter:

Q: Being board chair of the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce, there have been talk that the chamber is backing you and another candidate. Is that true?

That keeps coming up — that the chamber selected me and Sean Bennett — and it's untrue. Our running has nothing to do with the chamber. The chamber does not endorse political candidates. 

Q: Are you a tea party candidate?

No. I'm not aligned with any of those groups. I'm a conservative. 

Q: This week, . What is your opinion on an organization no one can information on funding a political message?

People can spend their money where they want. That's their business. It's freedom of speech.

Q: Please explain your views on economic development.

My opponent is opposed to industrial parks, but unless you have pre-permitted sites, you're not going to get anyone to talk to you. Time is money for business, and if they have to wait for a permit, they're not making money. People don't want industry and manufacturing located in their backyard. Industrial parks put it where it belongs. 

Q: What is a S.C. House member's role in economic development?

You're role is not to recruit directly, but we need to cobble together a group to do comprehensive tax reform. We have the highest manufacturing tax in the nation and that has to change. 

Q: So what does "comprehensive" tax reform mean?

Over the years, taxes have been tackled by reforming a little bit here, a little bit there. It needs to be done in bigger chunks. I will take any new tax system over what we have right now. I don't know what the answer is, but I'll know it when I see it.

Q: Would you encourage Dorchester County School Districts 2 and 4 combining?

No. But if both superintendents pick up the phone and says they've agreed to combining, I will help them. That's their decision. Local people need to make local decisions. 

Q: Should all school districts across the state privatize their bus fleets?

That's a school district issue. They should solve their own problems.

Q: What are your other statewide agendas?

We need to follow through with Voter ID. It's ludicrous to try and say we're disenfranchising voters. I will do everything I can to implement this legislation. We also need to follow through with school funding formula to make it more equitable. It's also time we enforce the law regarding illegals. A change in Washington will go a long way toward enforcing our laws. 

Q: Why is Voter ID a big issue? 

Voting is our most basic right. Why should we not prevent illegal voting? Why not require ID to protect our right to vote?

Q: Will you take on welfare/unemployment reform?

I have a friend who runs a business. He said he's having a hard time hiring people. That's a problem. People are staying home in the state of Washington, keeping the unemployment rate high and forcing businesses to import labor. Unemployment benefits are an incentive. Mandatory drug tests should be part of those benefits. You're not entitled to a damn thing. I'm entitled to Social Security because I paid into it. Government is not the answer to your problems; hard work is the answer to your problems. There's got to be a reasonable length of time you can receive unemployment, and you've got to actually seek employment. 

Q: People go to the statehouse all the time with the best of intentions. What can you do to make things actually happen?

As a freshman, you have no seniority. It's tough. But you start with your delegation. The House is getting some great starts this year, but they are getting stalled in the Senate. Another passionate, conservative representative will help with reforms. 

Q: You previously ran as a Democrat for the seat you're now seeking as a Republican. Are you just trying to hop on the tail coats of the winning party?

Forget about parties for a minute. I have always been a conservative, especially a fiscal conservative. Some people call what I did shenanigans, but I call it strategy. The idea was to win as a Democrat, help with the redistricting of District 97 and then switch parties and run again as a Republican. Every election is different. Now I want to run with a party that most accurately reflects my beliefs. 

Q: How will you defeat your Republican opponent Bryngelson?

We're hitting the pavement, sending out mailers and following up with a call. We've got numerous volunteers. We started in Summerville and Pine Forest, and are working our way up to St. George. I have the experience, as a county administrator and running a business. I've got a lot of miles. 

Q: How do you intend to defeat incumbent Democrat Rep. Patsy Knight if you win the primary?

I've got to get through this primary and then focus on the general. It's going to be a different strategy in the fall.