Three of the candidates for Congressional District 7 came together on Monday evening at the GOP Patriots Republican Club meeting that was held at the Georgetown Library.
Each candidate brings to the table fascinating life experiences.
Katherine Jenerette is a Army paratrooper and a former U.S. Congressional field representative.
Jenerette also ran for the Congressional seat in 2010 in District 1. She’s married and has four children.
She just returned from Afghanistan 11 weeks ago. She taught history at Coastal Carolina University before her deployment.
She was awarded the Combat Action Badge last fall after an insurgent attack in Kandahar Province.
“I’m not one to stand on the sideline,” Jenerette said.
When one of her colleagues got ambushed in Afghanistan that motivated her to run for Congress.
“He was doing all the right things and they blew him up and that hit home for me,” Jenerette said. “If he was willing to go beyond the call of duty, then what is it that I can do,” added Jenerette.
André Bauer is also one of the Congressional District 7 candidates who was invited to attend the Republican town meeting.
In 2005, Bauer cast the tie-breaking vote to keep property tax reform alive and led grassroots efforts to end school property taxes in 2006. In 2002, Bauer was the first to offer a common-sense plan to shorten lines at the DMV.
He has four children, one of whom is enrolled in West Point.
“I served in the House and I served in the Senate and I try to do the things that a representative say that they are going to do,” said Bauer.
“I will devise a plan to get people off of welfare. When I think about the health care system I get upset.”
“I’ll fight for you and I’ll fight for this district, added Bauer.
Tom Rice — the third Congressional candidate for District 7 — also has led an interesting life.
Rice is currently of counsel at Rice, MacDonald, & Hicks Law Firm,
He has been married for 30 years and has three sons.
In 2010 he was elected chairman of Horry County Council. He has worked to create more effective government by building consensus within county council, and by strengthening relationships with municipalities and legislators.
“We have many of our American jobs that go overseas. We need to make ourselves competitive.”
“I’m worried that if we don’t change our course and take fiscal responsibility, then our children and grandchildren will not have the same standard of living as we have,” Rice said.
There were questions directed at the candidates and one of the questions was a yes or no question.
Are you in favor of a balanced budget amendment?
Rice answered yes. Bauer answered no. Jenerette answered yes.
Other business that was addressed at the meeting was the state Budget and Control Board and how it is being restructured.
On May 22, a 7th Congressional District debate will be held at Waccamaw High School.
After the meeting the congressional candidates mingled with the group.
By Rounette Johnson
For The Times