2026 SC House District 34 Election
*CANDIDATES' VIEWS IN THE Q&AS LINKED BELOW DO NOT REFLECT THE VIEWS OF ONESPARTANBURG, INC. CANDIDATE RESPONSES ARE THE CANDIDATES' OWN WORDS, HAVING COME FROM EMAILED RESPONSES.*
REPUBLICAN PARTY CANDIDATE
SARITA EDGERTON (i)
Website: www.Saritaforsc.com
The Office You're Seeking: House District 34
Tell us about yourself, your involvement in our community, and why you are running for the SC House.
I am a mom of 4 children, wife to Mike. I am a local Realtor and I volunteer at my church teaching young adults with my husband and at the Carolina Pregnancy Center. I am running to give the people of 34 a voice at the state house. A voice that lowers their taxes, makes their lives more affordable, and gets government out of their business.
What is the role of state government, if any, in economic development and corporate recruitment? How can the State help raise per-capita income in Spartanburg and across the state?
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Anytime that government gets involved in, it makes things worse. SC can reduce the tax burden on citizens and businesses and reduce regulations that are so often burdensome to many people. Unleash freedom and prosperity will follow. Gone are the days that we need to bribe people to come to SC. They are coming anyway. We need to make sure we are negotiating smartly in a way that makes sure the businesses are giving back to the communities in which they want to relocate. I think that often times we negotiate from a position of weakness and not strength. We don’t always hold them accountable and their FILOTS are rarely clawed back. We need jobs and we need managed growth that keeps the culture of our state intact. We don’t need to be giving these in perpetuity.
Comprehensive Tax Reform remains a high priority in the SC General Assembly. Income, property, and sales tax are all being discussed for reform. As a State Representative what would be your approach to good tax policy for the State?
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We need to simplify the tax code. We have too many taxes. We don’t have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem. We could cut so much waste from the budget that would pay for the reduction in state income taxes to 0. We could also require counties and local governments to be more fiscal and cut their spending and reduce property taxes. CUT spending and expose fraud and waste would make our state more affordable and even more attractive than it already is.
Childcare across South Carolina is often unaffordable and inaccessible, damaging our state’s economy and outcomes for our children. Data shows that a lack of childcare options prohibits some people from participating in the workforce. In South Carolina, the state’s prime-age labor force participation rate of 81.1% falls 2.5% points below the national average. As a state representative, what are some solutions you have for this crisis?
I think we need to make in home/family childcare less regulated. We need to attack the affordability issue so that we can make life more affordable and more parents can stay home with their kids. But cutting regulations is a great way to help out small businesses.
What are the greatest challenges facing your District and what will you do as the Representative to address them?
Growth is the main issue in 34. Unplanned and unmitigated growth is what I am hearing. Our infrastructure isn’t keeping up. We need housing but we need it to be built with the community in mind. I hope to work with CC to make sure what we are doing is in the best interest of the district. I meet with residents frequently and try to come up with solutions. I will continue to listen.
Do you believe the state should pass legislation related to AI infrastructure? If so, what would ideal legislation look like?
I am still researching the AI issue. I use it from time to time. I do think we need to contain it and not let it become sentient. I will need to do a little more looking into this before I answer. But as far as dats centers, I think individual communities need to be able to decide whether they want data centers. If they don’t want them, then their representatives need to listen to the people and not unelected employees or bureaucrats. If a community wants one then great negotiations need to be utilized to benefit them. Negotiate for no property taxes or rebates on electricity for residents near the centers. Make sure they aren’t raping our lands and using more resources. Have a way to claw back any benefits if they don’t fulfill their end of the deal and hold them to it.
Please identify any other issues or concerns that influenced your decision to run for this office.
Fiscal responsibility is the most important issue that we can look into since what i fear is looming from the national level. We need to shore up SC and protect it as best as we can. This needs to be at every level.
DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATE
SAVILLE WILLIAMS
Name: Saville Williams
Tell us about yourself, your involvement in our community, and why you are running for the SC House.
I have spent more than 30 years working in and serving this community, helping people overcome barriers and achieve their goals. From providing community classes and operating after-school and summer programs to mentoring young people and providing career guidance, my work has always been about helping people move forward. As a nonprofit leader, I work closely with low- and moderate-income families and individuals impacted by the justice system. I have seen firsthand how difficult it can be for hardworking people to access affordable healthcare, housing, education, and opportunities to build a better life. I am running for the South Carolina House because working people need a voice in Columbia. I believe public service means listening, showing up, and working together to find practical solutions. This community is home. I am not running to become a career politician. I am running to take more than 30 years of helping people in our community achieve their goals and put that experience to work for the people of House District 34.
What is the role of state government, if any, in economic development and corporate recruitment? How can the State help raise per-capita income in Spartanburg and across the state?
State government has an important role in economic development, but success should be measured by more than the number of companies we recruit. We should ask: Are the jobs we create improving the lives of South Carolinians? I support recruiting responsible employers that provide good-paying jobs, benefits, and opportunities for advancement while ensuring incentives provide a real return for taxpayers. Economic development must also include investing in the small businesses and entrepreneurs already in our communities. To raise per-capita income in Spartanburg and across South Carolina, we must strengthen the connection between education, workforce training, and the jobs of the future. That means expanding apprenticeships, technical education, industry credentials, and career pathways while helping workers develop skills that lead to higher wages. Our goal should not simply be creating more jobs. It should be creating better-paying careers that allow South Carolinians to support their families, own homes, build wealth, and create better futures.
Comprehensive Tax Reform remains a high priority in the SC General Assembly. Income, property, and sales tax are all being discussed for reform. As a State Representative what would be your approach to good tax policy for the State?
I would evaluate income, property, and sales tax reforms together rather than shifting the burden from one taxpayer to another. Any reform should consider its impact on working families, seniors, small businesses, local governments, and our ability to fund education, infrastructure, public safety, and other essential services. I support responsible tax relief, but we must understand the long-term consequences before making major changes. I would bring taxpayers, businesses, local leaders, and fiscal experts to the table and ask a basic question: Does this proposal make South Carolina more affordable and competitive without leaving our communities with the bill later?
Childcare across South Carolina is often unaffordable and inaccessible, damaging our state’s economy and outcomes for our children. Data shows that a lack of childcare options prohibits some people from participating in the workforce. In South Carolina, the state’s prime-age labor force participation rate of 81.1% falls 2.5% points below the national average. As a state representative, what are some solutions you have for this crisis?
I support expanding access to 4K so every eligible South Carolina child has the opportunity to participate, regardless of income or where they live. We should also help establish and expand childcare options that mirror how people actually work, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and nontraditional shifts. Partnerships with employers, nonprofits, schools, and childcare providers can help create these options. I would also support expanding childcare assistance and employer-supported childcare, including incentives that encourage businesses to help employees with childcare costs or establish partnerships with local providers.
What are the greatest challenges facing your District and what will you do as the Representative to address them?
People who work here should be able to afford to live here. I will support policies that expand workforce housing and responsible development while protecting existing communities. We also need to focus on better-paying jobs, not simply more jobs. I will work to strengthen workforce training, career pathways, and partnerships with employers so residents can gain the skills needed to increase their earning potential. Finally, growth must pay its fair share. Roads, public safety, utilities, schools, and other infrastructure must keep pace with new development. As Representative, I will bring residents, local governments, businesses, educators, and community organizations together to identify needs and fight for our district’s fair share of state resources.
Do you believe the state should pass legislation related to AI infrastructure? If so, what would ideal legislation look like?
Yes. South Carolina should establish safeguards for both AI infrastructure and how artificial intelligence is used in people’s everyday lives. For AI and data center development, legislation should address energy and water consumption, environmental impacts, infrastructure costs, cybersecurity, transparency, and community input. Residents should not be left paying higher utility bills or infrastructure costs created by private development. We must also protect the human element. As AI becomes more common in education, healthcare, employment, financial services, government, and other areas, people should have the right to know when AI is being used and have access to a real person when important decisions affect their lives. AI can be a powerful tool, but it should assist teachers, healthcare professionals, workers, and public servants—not automatically replace human judgment, compassion, or accountability. South Carolina should embrace innovation while putting people first.
Please identify any other issues or concerns that influenced your decision to run for this office.
One of the biggest influences on my decision to run has been seeing more hardworking people struggling to get ahead.