2026 SC House District 37 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 CANDIDATES

STEVEN LONG (i) 

Website: www.stevenlongsc.com 

The Office You're Seeking: SC House District 37

Tell us about yourself, your involvement in our community, and why you are running for the SC House.

• I currently serve in the SC House and am running again to continue my efforts to advocate for my constituents and conservative policy. I am a husband, father of 3, and a member of Mountain View Baptist Church. Community service was instilled in me from a young age, being an Eagle Scout and volunteering. I am also a member of community organizations such as the Boiling Springs Business Association, Inman Community Chamber of Commerce, and Sons of American Legion.

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? *

• The state has a role in supporting, (but not driving) economic development efforts. This includes adopting favorable tax policy, establishing metric based incentives, and especially investments in infrastructure including water, sewer, and more. It also includes giving citizens the tools they need to be successful (and supporting the workforce/labor pool from a business perspective) through educational opportunities. Raising per-capita income is simple math of having higher paying jobs which can be driven by corporate recruitment and expansion. We should evaluate what neighboring states are doing and what we can change to be competitive in that space in a way that we are not today.

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? 

• We can dedicate more revenue towards tax reform by being more efficient and slowing spending increases. As our state continues to grow both in population and overall income, we can use growth to cover tax cuts so that each individual benefits. The legislature recently reformed our income tax system by flattening and lowering the rate. We can continue to reduce the income tax rate as we grow and we must ensure we remain competitive with neighboring states. We need comprehensive property tax reform including personal residence, business personal property, manufacturing rate reduction, vehicles, and more. We can use the sales tax as the necessary tool to enact broad property tax reform.

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?

• The problem with childcare is two-fold: capacity, and cost for those that can find a spot. We must reduce regulations to an acceptable level to bring more facilities online and create opportunities for existing facilities to expand. We can dedicate funds for capital support to increase the number of available slots through one-time investment without committing long term recurring funds. Increased supply will naturally bring down costs, however we can still address the cost side through incentive based options that businesses can take advantage of.

What are the greatest challenges facing your District and what will you do as the Representative to address them?

• The #1 concern for my constituents continues to be roads and growth/development (primarily residential) that puts pressure on the community. We must continue to invest in road paving, as well as capacity and operational improvements to address traffic flow. We can also develop alternate routes by improving secondary roads to lessen the burden on main highways. Planning and zoning is a county-level issue, but by making investments in infrastructure we can ease the burden of growth. We have a lot of opportunity that we can capitalize on including the upcoming Saluda Grade Rail Trail and more. The revitalization of downtown Spartanburg as well as small towns like Inman makes it a place people want to visit, live, and work in.

Please identify any other issues or concerns that influenced your decision to run for this office.

• The issues before the legislature are extremely broad & touches virtually every aspect of life. My continued service gives my constituents, & Spartanburg as a whole, a stronger voice in the legislature. My experience, knowledge, & relationships gives me an outsized influence beyond a single vote.

 

DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATE

SETH SAUER-HART

*Not on ballots until November's General Election