Letter to the editor: We can't afford not to have Murrell Smith at Statehouse

Murrell Smith is a man of his word — somewhat of a rarity in today’s world.

He is a life-long resident of South Carolina and has a vested interest in its people and valuable resources.

He listens to the people AND acts on it — not the next month, but that day!

Murrell has an unusually outstanding quality of being able to work across the aisle. Why? Because he’s not interested in political accolades or glory. He truly cares about the people. He doesn’t bring HIS agenda to the table. He brings his heart and his love for the people of South Carolina.

My late husband, Maj. Gen. Tom Olsen, was a retired two-star general in the Air Force, having served twice at Shaw Air Force Base. He knew the importance of sound leadership to protect our base. He trusted Murrell with every fiber of his being.

When my sister was murdered by a stalker in Charleston, S.C., I met with Murrell in my broken condition, seeking justice and protection for the unknown victims of stalking. Within a week, he drafted a bill to do just that and named it after my sister, Mary Lynn’s Law. His influence in the House and in the Senate enabled that bill to be passed into law in both chambers in just four months!

We can’t afford not to have Murrell Smith as our representative at the Statehouse. His experience and his level of respect among his colleagues is beyond reproach.

I ask for your vote for my friend and hero, Murrell Smith, for his continued role as OUR representative for the great state of South Carolina.

JACKIE OLSEN
Sumter