The Steelworkers Union Hall in Georgetown had standing room only during a dinner for SC Congressional candidate Preston Brittain on Tuesday evening.

Brittain, a Democrat, is running to fill the new 7th Congressional District seat.

“I'm going to bring a new attitude to Congress,” Brittain said. “What is really clear is that people aren't happy with what's going on in Congress; the approval rating is very low. The people want something different, and I think I fit that bill.”

The supporters in attendance were a veritable who's who of the Democratic Party in both Georgetown and Horry counties.

Local advocates included Mayor Jack Scoville, Mayor Pro-Tempore Rudolph A. Bradley, City Council members Clarence C. Smalls, Jeanette Ard and Peggy Wayne, Georgetown County School Board member Sandra Johnson, Clerk of Court Alma White, and  former Rep. Vida Miller.

Union leader James Sanderson joked that he didn't know who was left running Georgetown because everyone was there.

On a state level, Rep. Carl Anderson came to show his support. Former U.S. Rep. John Jenrette sent word of his belief in Brittain, although he was in Florida on the night of the dinner.

Education and creating jobs in South Carolina were big topics of discussion.

“We've got to invest in our children, invest in their education; invest in our greatest resource — that's our children and their education,” Brittain said.

James Sanderson voiced his concerns about the dredging of the port of Georgetown.

“Before I go back to Columbia,” said Rep. Anderson, “I want to say that the money is on the way!”

Brittain said that the dredging would bring much-needed employment opportunities to Georgetown as well as opening the way for more industry. “Manufacturers can't come here because they can't come through.”

“We've got to find a way to get more jobs here in America,” Brittain said. “The principles haven't changed.”

“In terms of getting those jobs, you need a work force and we absolutely have that in this district and in this state but manufacturers need incentives,” he continued. “America has the highest corporate tax rate; we're not competitive in the global economy.”

“We have to reduce the national debt,” Brittain said. “Everyone understands and agrees with that, and therefore sacrifices need to be made. To determine what those sacrifices will be, we have to work together in Washington because we can't leave our citizens behind.”

The candidate's father, Thomas Brittain, a Myrtle Beach attorney, pointed out that 53 percent of the vote for the 7th District seat comes from Horry and Georgetown counties.

Thomas Brittain added that “if we can build that coalition outside of Horry County then we can win.”

By Eliza Fettermann

For The Times