The Tryon Bulletin recently issued questions to the three candidates in the S.C. House District 38 Republican primary.

Incumbent Joey Millwood is challenged by Doug Brannon and John Moore for the partys nomination. The winner of the primary will face Democrat John Lewis and Constitution Party member Jerry H. Blanton in the November election.

Below are the Republican candidates answers to the Bulletin questions.

1) Why do you believe you are the best qualified candidate to represent S.C. House District 38?

Doug Brannon

I believe that I am the best candidate for the S.C. House of Representatives, District 38, because I have 25 years of real business experience. I have had the pleasure of hiring hundreds of people, the obligation to fire many of those people, and the true concern for making weekly payroll. I have a six-year political track record. Over that period of time a hard working city council and I attracted businesses to Landrum, which provided new jobs and restored Landrum to a strong financial standing. I have the legal education to assist the drafting of new, responsible legislation and I have the ability to work with others for the benefit of all the citizens of District 38. &bsp;

Joey Millwood

Ive done exactly what I said I was going to do. Ive fought for the taxpayers at every corner, whether or not that meant against the Democrats, the federal goverment or even Republicans. I have a record of true fiscal conservatism that cant be challenged. In the rough budget times that are coming next year, the taxpayers are going to need a fiscal reformer like me that will be willing to make the tough decisions that are sure to come.

John Moore

My combination of qualifications to represent the citizens of House District 38 is truly unique.

I have a lifetime of first hand business experience and connections that my grandfather, Joe Moore (former Chairman and CEO of Reeves Brothers Inc.) and father Bill Moore (former president and owner of Sally Foster Gift Wrap Inc.) helped provide me with. &bsp;

I had a first rate education at Wofford College (B.A. in government). &bsp;

I have a personal track record of business management and investment success. I was the co-owner and president of the property management and real estate development firm JWA Properties, LLC, until its sale about 4 years ago. I currently own and operate the private equity investment firm Moore Capital, LLC.

My track record of collaboration with others to create several successful community service projects (The Betty Ann Moore Free Colon Cancer Screening Program) is unmatched by any other candidate. &bsp;

My family roots go back six generations in the general House District 38 community. Many of my family members still live in the area.&bsp; The expanded Newman, Bradey, Charles, and Harris families are all my relatives.

I am driven to offer an unmatched level of dedication of my time and energy to serve the citizens of House District 38. &bsp;

All of these factors combined make me the best candidate for this position.

2) What would you do to bring additional economic opportunities to the district?

Doug Brannon

To bring additional economic opportunities to District 38 I would fully fund public education and work with the vocational schools and technical colleges to focus courses on the job training required by the new and emerging businesses and industries.&bsp; I would fully fund law enforement so that our communities are safe for new residents and businesses.&bsp; I would draft legislation to overhaul the South Carolina tax system to move away from a property tax driven structure and make the tax system more equitable and liquid.&bsp; I would then use my business and political experience, education and the knowledge I have obtained by living in the District my entire adult life to go out and actively sell South Carolinas beauty, work force, public schools and safe communities and the other many opportunities we have to offer to prospective businesses, employers and new residents.

Joey Millwood

I continue to stand by the fact that government should get out of the way. We need to cut taxes to bring in jobs around the state. Im always working to bring jobs and industry to the district.

John Moore

Strategic economic development will be my top priority as a representative.&bsp; I believe that a successful economic development policy must touch on several issues and be comprehensive.&bsp; I believe that a good representative must be able to work with local leaders and local organizations.&bsp; Having true grassroots support is critical to successful economic development.

We must have the proper tax and incentive policies, to encourage investment and growth. Tax policy matters.&bsp; A business exists mainly to be profitable.&bsp; They will locate and expand based on that fact.

Having the proper infrastructure in place, as well as a long term plan for its future is critically important.&bsp; The conditions of and plans for our roads, bridges, water, and sewer systems matters a great deal.

I believe that a top quality education and job training system is a key piece to the economic development puzzle.&bsp; The availability of a capable workforce is a key factor in any large companys expansion or relocation decision making process.&bsp; We need workers with a variety of skills and ability so that we have a variety of types of businesses.

We also must help provide opportunities for homegrown entrepreneurs to develop and grow their ideas.&bsp; Innovative entrepreneurs are big part of the past economic success story of our country.

3) What would you do to support education in the district?

Doug Brannon

To support public education in District 38 and all of South Carolina I would fight school vouchers and tax credits for private school or alternative education programs.&bsp; Article 11, Section 3 of the SC Constitution obligates to SC Legislature to provide a free public education for all school age children in this state.&bsp; Article 11 Section 4 says that no public funds or the good credit of this state shall be used for the benefit of a private school institution.&bsp; I am opposed to vouchers and tax credits because they strip funds from public schools and are unconstitutional. I would oppose school choice that does not offer school districts the control to limit the number of out of district students so that student/teacher ratios can be maintained.&bsp; And I would meet regularly with parents, teachers and administrators to listen to their needs and concerns and learn how the state government can asist them rather than hinder them.

Joey Millwood

I work tirelessly on behalf of the students in South Carolina. We need to look at how education is funded. We need to put parental choice on the table in South Carolina, creating an environment of competition. Every vote I take, I take it with our kids and teachers in mind. Ive been an advocate for the classroom in my two years. I stand by the fact that there is no superintendent or administrator that is worth one dollar more than a teacher. The front lines in education is in the classroom. On average in South Carolina between federal, state and local money, $12,000 is spent on every child. Spartanburg County is a little less, but that is the state average. Only 46 cents on every dollar is actually making it to the classrooms. Thats embarrassing to me. Im not concerned with superintendent salaries and shiny buildings. I only care about that teacher and that child and I will fight passionately and tirelessly in those efforts.

John Moore

As I mentioned in the above question, my top priority is strategic economic development.&bsp; Top quality education and job training programs are essential to that priority. This includes early childhood development, K-12, vocational schools, technical/community colleges, junior colleges, 4 year college institutions, and graduate programs.&bsp; The success and interworking of all of these schools/programs are essential to a successful comprehensive education policy as well as a successful economic development policy.

We must make funding of early childhood programs, K-12 education, and job training/vocational schools a priority in the state.&bsp; We must also make accountability of the use of those funds a priority.&bsp; That is why it is essential for a representative to be able to work with school boards, school administrators, teachers, parents, private charities, as well as other concerned citizens and organizations.&bsp; True accountability is best achieved through leadership as well as the development of trust and respect between parties.&bsp; We must all work together if want to see positive results. &bsp;

Because of its importance to so many different issues, it is critical for a state representative to be able to take in many views on education.&bsp; I believe what might be in the best interest of the education system in House District 38 may be different than what would be best for schools along the I95 corridor.&bsp;&bsp; Any legislation should reflect that fact.

4) If elected, what would be your top priorities and what specifically would you aim to accomplish during your term?

Doug Brannon

The top three priorities of my campaign and my first term in office have been determined by the citizens of District 38 and polling efforts.&bsp; They are job creation, public school funding and restructuring the S.C. tax system. During my first term in office I will work to fight the out of state attack that is pushing the voucher and tax credit assault on the S.C. public school systems. I will research and introduce legislation to restructure the states tax system moving away from the property tax basis and towards a more equitable system that reduces the burden on home-owners and small businesses. Using those efforts mentioned above I would reach out to new businesses and prospective employers selling the beauty of our state, the available work force, and fair tax system to create the new jobs that will bring our state out of this current recession. &bsp;

Joey Millwood

First, I will continue to fight for complete transparency. Others can say that, but I have a record. Rep. Nikki Haleys transparency bill was one of the first bills, if not first, I signed on to when I won the election in November. Its a fight that is still not complete and I will continue that fight. Second, I will continue to work to make South Carolina competitive in business/economic development by continuing to fight for lower taxes. Third, education in South Carolina is something that needs reform. We have to look at funding. We have to look at parental choice. In these lean budget times, we cant continue fiscal irresponsibility like spending over $300,000 per year on two superintendents to do the same job or pay over $100,000 per year for a football coach who is not certified to teach. We need to put the money where its supposed to be – in the classroom. Our students and teachers are more important than anything else in education. Weve got to make sure that the funding is headed to the classroom. And funds will be more limited than ever next year so it is even more vital.

John Moore

My top priorities are:

Strategic economic development

I detailed above several of my ideas for economic development that I think apply to House District 38, Spartanburg County, and the State of South Carolina.&bsp; No other candidate, in this race, can match my economic development abilities.&bsp; I am the only candidate who has founded, grown, and sold a multimillion dollar company.&bsp; I study businesses, what makes them grow, and what makes them successful on a daily basis. I will use those same skills for the people of House District 38.&bsp; My support from the Upstate South Carolina business community is clear in my Ethics Commission filings.&bsp; My opponents campaigns are almost wholly funded by special interest groups or by trial attorneys.

Government restructuring:

The State of South Carolina needs three distinct, independent, and balanced branches of government.&bsp; We are a legislatively dominated state.&bsp; Trial lawyers currently have far too much influence over our judicial system. The Governor should appoint judges and the Senate should confirm them. The South Carolina Budget and Control board should be dissolved with many of its current responsibilities shifted to the executive branch.&bsp; We also have several positions that are currently elected, but should be appointed by the governor.

Transparency

Currently, a member of the General Assembly can vote one way during a public roll call vote. Later, they can go change their vote behind the scenes, without the public ever knowing.&bsp; We, as citizens, have a right to know how our elected officials vote.