4 candidates vying for S.C. Senate District 36 seat
The election for a state Senate seat that reaches parts of Sumter and Clarendon counties features an incumbent and challengers on the other side of the aisle.
Sen. Kevin Johnson, who has been in the District 36 seat since 2013, will face Eleazer Carter in the Democratic primary June 11. The winner of that race will feature the top vote-getter between Republicans Leon Winn and Jeff Zell. Zell currently serves as a trustee on Sumter's nonpartisan school board.
Early voting for the primaries is May 28-June 7, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., at Sumter County Courthouse and Delaine Elementary School, Monday-Friday. Polls will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11.
Candidates were given the same questions, which are answered below. Carter and Winn did not submit answers by press time.
DEMOCRAT
Kevin L. Johnson (incumbent)
Why are you running?
I just finished my 12th year in the S.C. Senate. While I am very proud of my accomplishments, there is much more work to be done. I am running for reelection so that I can use my vast experience and my Senate seniority to continue to move this district forward and to continue to improve the quality of life for my constituents.
Have you run for political office before? If so, explain:
Yes. I served six years as a member of Manning City Council before being elected in 2000 as mayor of Manning, a position that I held for 11 years. In 2011, I was elected to the S.C. House of Representatives, and in 2012, I was elected to the S.C. Senate, a position that I currently hold. I also served 12 years on the Clarendon Two school board.
How long have you lived in your district?
Lifelong, almost 64 years.
Current job/profession:
After graduating from USC in 1982, I began my career with the S.C. Department of Revenue. I retired after more than 30 years of service. At the time of my retirement, I was the regional manager of the Florence and Myrtle Beach districts.
What makes you qualified for the seat?
I have been an appointed or elected official for approximately 36 years on the local, state and national level. I have an outstanding record of serving others, and I get great joy out of doing so. The seniority that I have within the Senate makes me more uniquely qualified to better serve our district, especially since pretty much everything that is done in the Senate is based on seniority. I have a close working relationship with all of my legislative colleagues, on both sides of the aisle. Because of my seniority, I serve on the most powerful Senate committees, Finance, Education, Medical Affairs, Labor, Commerce and Industry and Family and Veterans Services. Also, because of the respect that the Senate leadership has for me and my work ethic, I have been appointed to serve on several special and ad hoc committees, such as the S.C. Education Oversight Committee, the Statehouse Committee, the Joint Legislative Committee on Municipal Incorporation, the Department of Employment and Workforce Review Committee, as well as several others. I was also recently appointed to serve on the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference, which serves the governments of 15 Southern states.
What challenges/concerns do you see in your district (up to 3), and how do you intend to improve them?
Our challenges continue to lie in the area of public education, health care and economic development. I will continue to sponsor and co-sponsor legislation that addresses these three vital priorities, and I will continue to oppose legislation that is detrimental to them. The bills that I am heavily involved in can be found on the Statehouse website.
What successes have you seen in your district that you want to build on?
I think we are experiencing improvement in our education system and we are doing a better job of providing quality and more affordable health care, which includes telemedicine.
Are you actively involved in the community? How so?
Yes. First of all, I am a very active member of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Manning, where I serve as the chairman of the Board of Trustees. I have been a board member of the Santee Lynches Regional Council of Governments since 2000. I have served on the board of several agencies in the past, including Harvin Clarendon County Library, Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce, Black River Healthcare (currently Hope Health), just to name a few.
Anything else you want to add?
Yes, I am a graduate of Leadership South Carolina, the South Carolina Executive Institute and the Diversity Leadership Institute. I graduated from the S.C. Education Policy Fellowship Program and the S.C. Institute of Medicine and Public Health Policy Program. I am the recipient of two honorary doctorate degrees, and I have been recognized as Legislator or Senator of the Year by several agencies and organizations along with many other accolades for the services that I have provided over the last almost four decades.
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REPUBLICAN
Jeff Zell
Why are you running?
Extremely elevated levels of violent crime mark this part of South Carolina as underperforming public school systems and sluggish economic growth compared to other areas within the state. It is crucial that the 36th District be represented by an individual dedicated, transparent and accountable, prioritizing the community's interests and needs over personal ones. I have consistently strived to embody strong core values, specifically integrity, service and excellence in all endeavors. I firmly believe that by dedicating ourselves to serving others and executing it with toughness, resolve and compassion, we can uplift the most vulnerable to a place of dignity, stability and contribution to the community. Our neighbors and their communities are suffering. If they are suffering, we all are suffering. It's long past due to making hard decisions, bringing people together and moving the district into the future, not just in words and sentiment but in reality and materially!
Have you run for political office before? If so, explain:
I am serving a four-year term on the Sumter School District Board of Trustees, ending in 2026. This is my first time running for office.
How long have you lived in your district?
Eight years
Current job/profession:
I am currently a full-time student and a board member. However, I have just received my degree, so I'm between chapters. I am hopeful that I will be a full-time state senator very shortly! I recently retired from the USAF after 20 years of service at Shaw Air Force Base.
What makes you qualified for the seat?
Growing up in poverty, living through generational cycles of dysfunction and a broken home and having been a ward in the foster care and juvenile justice systems, I understand cyclic dysfunction and poverty. I came from a broken home on a broken street. From those fires, my work ethic and sense of duty were born. I'm not special; servant leaders surround me, and I am honored to be counted among them. I've always tried to do the best job I can at whatever I'm doing, or it's not worth doing.
During my career of more than two decades, I have dedicated myself to working within the multifaceted bureaucracy of the U.S. Air Force. I am unwavering in my commitment to driving positive change within the community, and it has been the driving force behind everything I do. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, I have never faltered in my pursuit of progress and improvement. My experiences within the Air Force have provided valuable lessons and insights, allowing me to excel in other areas of my life.
I believe in lifelong learning and am always eager to seek new opportunities to grow and develop. I am confident that my time in the Air Force and life's hardships have prepared me well for any challenges that may come my way in the future.
I have a proven track record of working across the political aisle to get things done, as witnessed during my short tenure on the Sumter School District Board of Trustees. During this tenure, we reduced disciplinary infractions by 40%, got the largest wage increase ever in Sumter School District history for our bus drivers and cut the critical certified teacher shortage in half, from 120 vacancies to 58. I'm extremely excited to bring material changes to Columbia and to the 36th Senate District.
What challenges/concerns do you see in your district (up to 3), and how do you intend to improve them?
I am dedicated to driving impactful change in several critical areas. First and foremost, I am determined to prioritize the transformation of public education to ensure it is accessible and of the highest quality. Additionally, I am unwavering in my commitment to spearhead rural infrastructure development, foster economic growth, create development opportunities and establish robust public safety measures. Above all, transparency and accountability are non-negotiable for promoting trust in our government and ensuring that our elected officials uphold the highest standards. It is imperative that we eradicate corruption, nepotism, fraud and waste and meticulously track every tax dollar entrusted to us by the public. There is a strong perception of corruption in the rural parts of the district, and I am resolutely focused on bringing accountability and exposure to corruption.
What successes have you seen in your district that you want to build on?
I am committed to promoting responsible economic development in overlooked areas and bringing Sumter County's success to more rural regions in need. With my recent insights into school district operations, I am dedicated to shaping legislation that enhances transparency and accountability in our public education systems.
Are you actively involved in the community? How so?
Recent second vice commander, Sumter American Legion Post 15. Former committee chairman of Americanism at Post 15, American Legion. I serve as a mentor in various capacities. I'm a contestant on the 2024 Dancing With the Palmetto Stars (Miss S.C. Scholarship fundraiser). I am a school board liaison for Carolina's Academic Leadership Network.
Anything else you want to add?
Personal loyalties to political parties, powerful individuals and apathy are killing our children's opportunities for a better future. We must break the stranglehold on this community by partisan actors and scrutinize and vote for the best candidate. We must do things differently to make a difference. It's past time for real change.