Dear Friends,
In preparing for this campaign, sitting down with other elected officials and public servants was a priority. The ability to identify problem areas both locally and throughout the state is where a legislator can and should make a difference.
Solicitor Duffie Stone and Sheriff PJ Tanner were among the first. Public safety is a critical point of focus and with the backbone of a law enforcement background I plan to fortify efforts as a servant in this area when elected to the state legislature.
This campaign will focus on the overall issue of restructuring South Carolina’s outdated government, it will also highlight the areas within the South Carolina Criminal Code and Sentencing Structure that need to be re-examined and amended to better reflect today’s challenges.
I use the following examples to illustrate my point:
Breaking into someone’s home during the daytime is Burglary in the second degree. It is considered a nonviolent offense. Breaking into someone’s mini warehouse at night is also a Burglary second; but, it is considered a violent offense.
Lewd act on a child or South Carolina’s term for child molestation (not rape) is considered a nonviolent offense.
A drive-by shooting is considered Assault with Intent to Kill. This is considered in South Carolina a nonviolent misdemeanor.
Other than the nighttime burglary of a mini-warehouse, none of the aforementioned crimes are considered either a serious or most serious offense according to South Carolina’s sentencing structure.
When elected I will be Hilton Head Islands advocate for common sense in the Statehouse.
I hope this message finds you well and wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
Best Regards,
Andy
As a veteran of our armed forces, it is a special honor for me to have served.
Beaufort County is proud of the men and women serving our country both at home and abroad. We are grateful to the families of these service personnel for the sacrifices they make to keep us free.
The military is a major component of Beaufort County’s economy. The 2004 study of overall military value to the State of South Carolina found Beaufort County had over 17,000 persons employed in the military and they – along with military retirees – had personal income in excess of $614 million. The study estimated military personnel – both active and retired – contributed over $717 million to Beaufort County retail sales.
I look forward to having the opportunity to continue serving by representing Hilton Head Island in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
The Below announcement was sent to the Island Packet and was published on Friday October 30, 2009. In case you missed it, I wanted to take this opportunity to share the news with you.
I am today announcing I will run in the June 8, 2010 Republican primary for the South Carolina House of Representatives from Hilton Head Island. I made the decision to enter politics and run for elected office after discussing the pros and cons of a political campaign with my wife, Amee. The more we thought about it, the more I became convicted to serve. This challenge is both exhilarating and compelling! The need for effective representation in Columbia for Hilton Head Island can no longer be ignored.
I will work hard to limit the growth of government, stimulate economic development and enhance workforce development. I believe strongly in the idea of, “Home Rule” and will work closely with others that are like minded to empower local government to protect our quality of life. I do not believe that government should be treated like rocket science and will take the fight for common sense ideas all the way to the Statehouse, where we will remind the special interests protecting the status quo what representative democracy is supposed to be about.
My run for office is to restore Hilton Head Island to its rightful place of leadership in South Carolina. We must re-instill the basic principles under which this country was founded. Now more than ever, it has become apparent to me that it is as dangerous to have someone holding public office who is not only wrong on policy but also refuses to stand up, be counted and fight for what is right.
I ask all Hilton Head Island conservative voters to join me!
