Daryl W Scott- South Carolina – US House (District 7)
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
I was born and raised in Conway, SC. Growing up, I was no stranger to hardship as I was born into a single-parent household on welfare. My mother worked as cleaning staff at a hotel in Myrtle Beach, back when the area was just developing. Like many other black workers in the community, she was paid under the table. I grew up during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement. My class was the second to experience integration and during my 2nd grade year, I transitioned into a fully integrated elementary school. While my early years were filled with much financial and social instability, I credit my community in Conway as the village that supported me and my family and shaped me into the person he is today.
I am a proud graduate of Conway High School, where I participated in NJROTC, Future Farmers of America, and played several intramural sports . Upon graduating high school, I enlisted in the South Carolina Army National Guard. While in the National Guard, I received a scholarship to help fund my education and chose to attend Morris College. There, I began my active duty military career. I served a combined total of 24 years in the South Carolina National Guard, Active Army, and the Army Guard Reserve, and currently hold the rank of Major. During my service, I coordinated with the South Carolina Governor’s request for federal approval under the Posse Comitatus Act to aid in hurricane, flood, and other natural disaster readiness. I received numerous accolades, honors, and medals for my service both abroad and at home in the United States. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Morris College, a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and am currently pursuing his PhD in Business Administration at Northcentral University online.
Why are you running for office?
I am running for office to protect the lives and future of our children by reforming the education system in a way that provides every student with opportunities that lead to real world success.
What are the three biggest issues facing your community?
One of my priorities is to fight for a living wage for our citizens, as many in South Carolina live below the poverty line. Crime prevention is also a priority, because one out of every 185 South Carolinians will become a victim of a violent crime. And lastly, I will fight to bring back honor to our nation.
How do you propose to solve those problems?
I plan to solve these complicated issues through robust community engagement. I will help bridge the partisan, socioeconomic, and cultural divide that has plagued our community, district, South Carolina, and the nation as a whole.
What is your stance on environmental and climate concerns that are facing your community?
We must listen to our planet. Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and more severe as our planet continues to warm. These changes are also affecting the growing seasons for the crops we depend on to survive. We must act now to slow the effects of climate change and protect the Earth for future generations.
What commonsense gun safety measures would have the most impact on your community?
Gun background checks that actually work would be a great start. I support the legislation that is currently passing through the Senate and hope to see more bipartisan progress in the future.
How would criminal justice reforms impact your community?
Criminal justice reform will bring fathers back into our communities.
How would you work to protect a woman’s reproductive health?
I will work tirelessly to protect a woman’s right to choose. Medical autonomy is a cornerstone of medical ethics and it is also guaranteed by our Constitution. If you own yourself, then you have the freedom to make decisions regarding your body. If a woman does not have that basic freedom, how can she truly be free to exercise any of her other rights?
What measures would you advocate to ensure that your constituents have the right to vote?
Passing voter reform laws. Specifically, we need laws to expand voting rights, reduce the influence of money in politics, ban gerrymandering, and create new ethics rules for officeholders.
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