2026 SC House District 38 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

JOSIAH MAGNUSON (i) 

Website: www.josiahmagnuson.com 

The Office You're Seeking: SC House District 38

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

• I represent the beautiful landscape and beautiful people of Landrum, Campobello, Holly Springs, Lake Bowen, and Cooley Springs. I am a Sunday School teacher for the junior boys at Mountain View Baptist Church. I work in sales for Palmetto Fortis Education Group, handling international accounts in addition to school trips to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. I am running for re-election because I believe my legislative experience, negotiating skills, and policy knowledge are valuable to our community and to the conservative movement across South Carolina. I believe we have fantastic momentum for accountability and transparency, DOGEing the state budget, judicial reform, ending abortion, parental rights, better infrastructure investments, and so much more. I would like to continue leading for these key issues.

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? 

• Primarily I believe government's role is to do justice and create an environment of freedom where businesses can grow and succeed. I believe in treating all people and all businesses equally, rather than giving special favors to the politically-connected. The most direct way the state can help raise the income of citizens is by continuing to cut income taxes and reduce burdensome regulations. The State can also eliminate other obstacles such as through tort reform. Indirectly we can add more value to the community through more funding for infrastructure, courts, and law enforcement.

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? 

• Ideally I would like to see zero income tax, paid for by cutting waste in the state budget along with possibly eliminating some sales tax exemptions. Property tax is a tough nut to crack in the long term but in the short term I support an increased homestead exemption and a law to stop the taking of a family home from people who truly cannot pay.

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?

• Certainly there are many obstacles and regulations on daycares and childcare centers that make it almost impossible to run one. Those need to be reduced so that more people can get into the business and more kids can be taken care of. We also need to keep our First Steps program up and running to ensure faith-based childcare centers are available. At the same time, there is a limit to what the state can do, because this is largely a cultural problem. I believe we need to encourage parents and families to prioritize their kids rather than pursuing career advancement for its own sake. Our goal should be to build kids who are strong and free - this happens best in a traditional family, not in daycares and childcare centers.

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

• One of the biggest challenges we have right now is reckless development coupled with lack of affordable housing. This is a double-edged sword - efforts in either direction worsen the problem on the other side. We must not infringe on property rights. At the same time, the community also has a valid interest in maintaining its small-town model. In my mind the solution falls primarily on the side of ensuring infrastructure is in place. I am interested in the idea of concurrency to ensure sufficient infrastructure is present prior to construction. I also would like to encourage the development of infrastructure dashboards to provide more information to all concerned: developers, city managers, potential buyers, and the community as a whole. Further, we need to reconsider how special tax privileges are granted, such as FILOTs. There are no perfect answers but this is an issue that I believe demands action.

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

• My number one goal as a legislator is to see the intentional homicide of any unborn child prohibited by state law.

 

CHARLIANNE WYATT NESTLEN 

Website:  www.votenestlen.com 

The Office You're Seeking:  SC House of Representatives District 38

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

• I am a proud lifelong resident of Spartanburg County, raised in Inman and now living in Chesnee along the North Pacolet River with my husband, Homer, and our two sons. My life is deeply rooted in the Upstate, where family, faith, and rural values shape everything I do. Whether I’m at home caring for our small flock of chickens or cheering on my children at school and scouting events, I stay closely connected to the everyday experiences of families in our community. I graduated from Boiling Springs High School and the University of South Carolina Upstate, where I now serve as Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. In my role, I work to strengthen educational opportunities and build connections that support long-term growth in our region. I am also pursuing a master’s degree in Strategic Communications Management to better serve and advocate for others. My commitment to the community extends beyond my profession. As a graduate of Leadership Spartanburg, I have served as Chair of Spartanburg Young Professionals and held leadership roles with OneSpartanburg, Inc., the Duke Energy Regional Advisory Board, Spartanburg Community College Foundation Board, and the OneSpartanburg Government Relations Committee. I’ve also worked nationally in higher education advocacy, giving me a broader perspective on the challenges we face locally. I am running for the South Carolina House of Representatives because of this firsthand experience. I have seen the challenges facing our families, schools, and small businesses, and I believe we need practical, thoughtful leadership in Columbia. I am committed to strengthening education, supporting economic growth, and protecting the values that make Spartanburg County such a special place to call home.

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 an important role in economic development, but it should be focused on setting Spartanburg, and South Carolina, up for long-term success, not chasing short-term headlines. From my work with OneSpartanburg and in higher education, I’ve seen firsthand that our greatest competitive advantage is our people. In Spartanburg County, we’ve experienced tremendous growth, especially in advanced manufacturing, automotive, and logistics. The state’s role is to strengthen that momentum by investing in workforce development and education pipelines. That means continuing to support our technical college system, expanding career-ready programs in our high schools, and ensuring students and adult learners alike can access training that leads directly to good-paying jobs. We don’t just need more jobs, we need better-paying jobs that allow families to build stability and stay here in our community. When it comes to corporate recruitment, incentives should be used thoughtfully and transparently. I’ve worked on government relations and economic development efforts, and I believe strongly that any incentives must deliver real value to taxpayers. We should prioritize companies that are committed to Spartanburg for the long haul, those that invest in their workforce, pay competitive wages, and become part of the fabric of the community. To raise per-capita income, we must focus on creating pathways to opportunity. That includes supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, who are the backbone of our local economy, as well as removing barriers to work like access to childcare, transportation, and job training. In both our growing areas and our rural communities, people need a clear path to move into higher-wage careers. I’m running because I believe we can build on Spartanburg’s success while making sure that growth reaches every corner of our county. With the right focus on workforce, accountability, and opportunity, we can raise incomes and strengthen families across our region.

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? 

• Comprehensive tax reform should be a priority, but it must be done responsibly with a focus on fairness, simplicity, and long-term stability. As a Spartanburg County resident, I see how our current system impacts families and our ability to stay competitive. On income taxes, I support simplifying the code and providing relief, especially for middle-income families. I’m open to the conversation around eventually eliminating the state income tax, but only if it’s done in a fiscally responsible way with a clear plan to replace that revenue. We cannot jeopardize funding for core services like education, infrastructure, and public safety. Property taxes are a growing concern, particularly as rising home values in our area put pressure on homeowners. I support strengthening protections like the Homestead Exemption to ensure seniors can remain in their homes. We should also continue exploring broader relief for homeowners while maintaining the funding local schools and services depend on. For sales taxes, I believe we need to modernize the system to reflect today’s economy while ensuring it remains fair and does not disproportionately impact lower-income families. Ultimately, good tax policy should allow families to keep more of what they earn, encourage economic growth, and provide the resources needed for our state to thrive. I’m committed to a thoughtful and transparent approach that works for Spartanburg County and all of South Carolina.

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?

• Childcare isn’t just a family issue, it is an economic issue, a workforce issue, and a community issue. As a mom, I understand how critical it is to have safe, reliable, and affordable childcare. As someone who has worked closely with employers and community leaders in Spartanburg, I’ve also seen how the lack of childcare keeps people, especially women, out of the workforce. We don’t have to start from scratch on solutions. Right here in our community, Middle Tyger Community Center has created a model that works. By combining childcare with workforce development and community support, they are helping families stay employed while giving children a strong start. That’s the kind of innovation the state should be supporting and scaling. As a State Representative, I would focus on expanding partnerships like this, bringing together nonprofits, employers, and local government to create more childcare options where they’re needed most. We should also look at targeted incentives for businesses that invest in childcare for their employees and reduce regulatory barriers that make it harder to open and operate childcare centers without compromising safety. At the same time, we must address affordability. Supporting working families through scholarships or tax credits can help close the gap, while also ensuring childcare providers are paid fairly so they can stay in business. If we are serious about strengthening our workforce and growing our economy, we have to be serious about childcare. I’m running because I believe we can build on successful models like Middle Tyger, support our families, and create real pathways for more people to participate in, and benefit from.

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

• District 38’s greatest challenges are both immediate needs and long-term opportunities that require strong, consistent advocacy in Columbia. First, infrastructure and roads remain a top concern. Too many families are dealing with unsafe or deteriorating roads, and too often our district has not had a strong enough voice fighting for its fair share of state funding. As your Representative, I will prioritize securing resources for road improvements and ensuring District 38 is not overlooked in infrastructure investments. Second, we face a growing lack of childcare options, which directly impacts workforce participation and family stability. Working parents need affordable, accessible childcare to stay employed and support their families. I will support expanding public-private partnerships and community-based models that increase capacity and affordability. We also have a serious shortage of long-term senior care options. Families are struggling to find quality, affordable care for aging loved ones. I will advocate for expanding services, supporting caregivers, and strengthening the workforce pipeline for healthcare and nursing facilities. Education is another critical area. Our schools need more resources to support teachers and meet the needs of every student, including children with special needs. I will fight for stronger investment in classrooms and support services so no child is left behind. Finally, District 38 has a real opportunity for strategic growth, including projects like the Saluda Grade Trail, which can drive tourism, small business growth, and quality of life improvements. I will work to ensure we leverage these opportunities responsibly and bring investment into our region. At the core of all of this is representation. District 38 needs someone who will actively request funding, advocate persistently, and ensure our needs are heard and prioritized in the state budget process. I am committed to being that voice and delivering results for our community.

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

• I’m running because my family has faced real challenges. Caring for my mother, supporting my husband through cancer, and raising a child with special needs showed me gaps in healthcare, education, and childcare. I will fight for practical solutions that strengthen families and improve opportunity.

 

 

DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATE

TAMMY HAHN

*Not on ballots until November's General Election