Opinion: Candidates Maj. Davey, Johnson, Andrews are fueled to serve by what they have experienced in life

It will not be long before midterm elections, and I have never, since 1971, witnessed such volatility and possible threats to our democracy and to voters. Yes, I most often vote Democrat but have in the past also voted Republican. I look at an individual's approach to social justice issues and qualifications. This midterm there is no doubt as to who I will cast my vote for, and this is why.

For South Carolina House District 67, it will be Maj. Lisa Davey. I have never witnessed such commitment and drive for selfless reasons. Maj. Davey has dedicated her entire adult life to service, first to the Army, her family and later to Sumter's previously incarcerated persons. And now she is answering the call to serve and represent the citizens of S.C. District 67.

For this past year, Maj. Davey has dedicated herself to learning from and listening to community members, as well as the application of endless amounts of time going door to door and making phone calls - all to provide opportunities for future constituents to address their concerns and desires personally. Yes, to retire as a major in the U.S. Army is a significant accomplishment in and of itself, but her journey did not begin in privilege.

She began as a 17-year-old enlistee, and it did not take long for her superiors to recognize the depth of commitment, dedication and willingness to serve for the greater mission - thus Pvt. Lisa Davey's elevation to major. By nature, Maj. Davey serves with generosity and commitment, and her history speaks for itself. I trust such a journey.

For South Carolina governor, Dr. Jermaine Johnson is most qualified for the people of South Carolina. He, too, has experienced the fullness of life from a humble and non-privileged beginning to the S.C. House of Representatives, serving District 52. Dr. Johnson's beginnings included homelessness and days without complete nourishment.

As a college student, some holidays were spent in a dorm room. However, Dr. Johnson applied his energies to commitment, discipline and focus and, like Maj. Davey, was recognized by superiors.

Continued higher education, scholarships and an eventual offer to play pro basketball. These opportunities did not go ignored; instead they inspired Dr. Johnson to give back - to return what was provided him and to provide for others as well. He identified unjust links in education and health care, the designed unequal construction to marginalized communities and addressed these issues by establishing organizations to serve.

Dr. Johnson is not a party-centered politician, either. He is totally committed to dignity and opportunities for the people of South Carolina and is social justice-centered. He is also a loving family man. Again, I trust such a journey.

Finally, for the S.C. United States Senate position, I will be voting for Dr. Annie Andrews. As a pediatrician and mother of three children of her own, Dr. Andrews has seen a wide spectrum of childhood illness, childhood poverty, childhood illness from poverty and inadequate housing, and childhood illness from the lack of health care.

She has seen firsthand the quality-of-life differences between families with and families without health care and basic needs. Such witnessing has both opened her eyes to the many injustices designed by the wealthy in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and it has also broken her heart for the right reasons. This heartbreak now fuels her desire to serve not only the state of South Carolina, but also to influence policy for the United States of America.

Why is health care for all considered communism? How is the desire to raise the standard of education and to provide a decent wage for our teachers considered irresponsible? How is a living wage for all careless? How is the investment in dignified housing a waste of tax dollar money? How has trusting the research of science become naive? As humans, we are born with the ability to feel sorrow from loss or compassion for the suffering or empathy for the oppressed. How do such innate human qualities turn dark and against one another?

Maj. Lisa Davey, Dr. Jermaine Johnson and Dr. Annie Andrews are fueled by what they have experienced and seen, and their journeys have proven discipline and commitment. I want and we deserve individuals who will labor for our communities, our state and our country which will undoubtedly have a positive effect on this beautiful world of ours.

Michelle Ross lives in Sumter.