Candidates in District 38 GOP nomination race face off Monday

LANDRUM — From funding armed security officers in South Carolina schools to “draining the swamp in Columbia,” the two candidates seeking the GOP nomination for the South Carolina House District 38 seat sparred on a variety of topics on Monday. 

Incumbent Rep. Josiah Magnuson and challenger Joan Clyborne shared their thoughts on a wide range of subjects during a candidate forum organized by the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, which took place at the downtown Landrum depot that evening. Each candidate shared their platform and background before discussing a number of issues, including school safety and government and tax reform.

Magnuson, of Campobello, is currently serving his first term in the South Carolina House, following his election in November 2016. Describing himself as a “consistent conservative,” the incumbent said he believes in a Jeffersonian model of democracy, where government does little to intrude on the wealth and productivity of its citizens.

“I want to keep taxes low, I want to keep regulations light and I want to keep liberty strong,” Magnuson said. “I want you to be able to succeed on your own, without the burden of big government on your back.”

The representative said he is committed to improving the state’s roads, creating more opportunities in schools and law enforcement, and to supporting South Carolina’s courts. 

His challenger, Clyborne, also of Campobello, has worked as a licensed homebuilder in the state since 1999.

Referencing her background as a contractor, Clyborne said her “punch list” for things she would address if elected includes protecting local school districts from consolidation, increasing the amount of state troopers and, her main goal, reforming South Carolina’s welfare system by encouraging those receiving aid to either enter the workforce, prepare for a job or volunteer.

She bases her solution on similar changes made in Maine, which has significantly reduced the amount of welfare recipients in recent years, Clyborne said.

“We can do that in our state, and we should do that in our state,” she said.

Both candidates also discussed ideas on how to make South Carolina’s government more efficient and accountable to the public.

Magnuson said he would like to see massive reforms to how Columbia conducts business, moving past its current system where the legislature — and, by extension, board commissions — hold most of the cards to one where the governor and a more independent judiciary have greater control. Magnuson supports holding a state constitutional convention in order to enact such reforms, he said.

“[The current South Carolina Constitution] was established to preserve segregation,” Magnuson said. “We need to get past that. As a state, we need to move into the 21st century, and establish a government that works for the people. That is my focus as a representative.”

Clyborne said her solution to the problem is simple — reduce the size and scope of every government department, which she said continue to add powers and responsibilities to themselves like “hoarders.” She said she would like to see the legislature bring less bills to the floor, as well.

“Let’s knock it off, and clean up the hoard,” Clyborne said. “[That] is where all the government nonsense hides: the waste, the corruption, the fraud. Let’s just streamline government and make it simple.”

Both candidates also expressed strong interest in funding school resource officers in South Carolina schools.

Magnuson also said he supported recent legislation that would have allowed willing school staff who received proper clearance and training to arm themselves to protect students in the event of a shooting. He also said the state should ask retired police officers to return to duty to serve as resource officers in schools.

Clyborne said that all schools should ensure their facilities are properly secured, such as only having one point of entry. She also said districts should work closely with law enforcement to come up with plans in case of an emergency, and that the state should consider recruiting retired military personnel, first and foremost, to serve as security officers for schools, due to their training.

The two candidates are vying for the Republican nomination in the race for the District 38 seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives. The nomination will be decided during the upcoming state primary election, which will take place on Tuesday, June 12.

The winner of the nomination will run unopposed for the seat during the general election on Nov. 6, as no Democrats filed for the race prior to the deadline on March 30.

House District 38 represents voters residing in upper Spartanburg county, including Landrum and Campobello.