A ninth Republican candidate announced Wednesday that he would run for office in Congressional District 7.

Chad Prosser, the former director of South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism, says he has the experience to promote reforms in Congress and bring more jobs to the newly-formed district.

Prosser owns his own business and was a former member and chairman of Horry County Council.

“We need solutions to get people back to work,” he said. “I have experience in reforming government and I want to bring that experience to Washington. I want to get that out-of-control spending in check.”

Prosser served as director of PRT under former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford.

He “reformed the agency and brought accountability and efficiency to the tourism department,” a press release said.

“Prosser’s reforms saved taxpayer dollars and increased tourism, helping small businesses and creating private sector jobs,” the statement continued.

Prosser is currently a partner of Prosser Johnson, LLC, a firm focused on helping small companies grow to become larger enterprises.

For his part, Prosser said he would like to focus on policies that create job growth.

He would also like to eliminate President Barack Obama’s healthcare plan, so businesses could have more confidence in hiring and investing in their businesses.

“We have to restore confidence so people will invest and hire,” he said. “There are these issues about confidence, such as from Obamacare, and what the costs will be if you have to hire new employees. It discourages employment rather than encourages job growth. We need to focus on meaningful reform of health care costs, and Obamacare just doesn’t do that.”

Prosser graduated from Florence Christian School.

In 1989, he graduated from Rhodes College before earning a Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Prosser served on Horry County Council for more than eight years, according to his press release. In 2002, he became the first person in county history to be re-elected to a consecutive term as county council chairman.

“The 7th Congressional District needs a proven conservative reformer in Washington who has the experience and the dedication to clean up the beltway mess,” Prosser said in his press release. “I have a track record in both the public and private sectors of tackling the tough issues head on, and I will bring the same tenacity to Washington, where I will fight to end the runaway spending train and repeal job-killing regulations.”

By Kelly M. Fuller

Kfuller@gtowntimes.com