2026 Spartanburg County Council District 2 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 CANDIDATES

JACK MABRY (i)

Website: jackmabry@charter.net

The Office You're Seeking: Spartanburg County Council Dist 2

Tell us about yourself, your involvement in our community, and what you are for.

I currently hold the office of Spartanburg County Council Dist 2 prior to serving on Council I served on the Spartanburg School Dist 2 board for 13 years .I enjoy being a part of the local government where can see the difference you can make .

South Carolina’s Constitution sets a 10.5% property tax assessment on manufacturing property—well above the 4%–6% typical in competing Southeastern states. As a result, when companies meet qualifying investment and job criteria, tools like Fee in Lieu of Tax (FILOT) agreements are used to remain competitive and attract jobs and investment. FILOTs have been essential to attracting and retaining companies that have produced most of our community’s jobs. Do you support the use of FILOT agreements to offset this structural disadvantage? If yes, what specific criteria would you require to approve a FILOT? If not, what tools would you use to compete with lower-cost states and win jobs for the people of Spartanburg County?

I do support the use the use of FILOT agreements as long as the projects are good for Spartanburg .These companies that benefit for the FILOTs need to bring good high paying jobs to raise the per capita income and by doing this you offer hope and opportunity to there employees

Spartanburg County voters approved a six-year, 1% penny sales tax in 2017 to replace outdated and inefficient facilities. Voters continued the measure another six years in 2023 to fund 577 road projects. Both measures delivered major projects with no debt, no interest, no property tax increases, and over 30% of revenue was and will be derived from visitors. Together, these measures reflect strong voter support for investing in growth infrastructure—differentiating Spartanburg from neighboring counties who have been unable to pass similar initiatives. Did you support the 2017 and 2023 referendums? If yes, why? If not, what specific alternative funding mechanism would you have used to deliver the same scale of projects without raising property taxes or taking on debt—and would it generate comparable visitor-funded revenue?

Yes on The penny sales tax this was the best way to raise money to fix out failing roads without a property tax increase and 35% of the revenue is coming from out of state visitors

Given rising costs across the board, current residents and newcomers are finding it more difficult to afford housing. People want to live close to their place of employment, and companies want to locate in areas where housing is financially obtainable for their employees. What steps would you take to ensure housing is obtainable for current residents and newcomers?

The best way to keep cost of homes down is to keep Government out of it .If we put too many guidelines to building it drives the cost up .We need to let the housing market dictate what the people want there are more ways to keep cost down

Limiting economic development moves more of the tax burden to residents while also reducing job opportunities and the potential for higher wages. At the same time, economic growth must be managed with a focus on quality over quantity – a strategy that has seen some success with recent life science announcements, small business growth, and record per capita income. Would you work to continue high-quality job creation over low-impact growth? If not, how would you prevent increased tax burdens and declining opportunity for residents?

I will continue to support project the raise the per capita income and job creation ,we can be more selective on the companies that we bring in to Spartanburg county. These jobs need to be the right fit for Spartanburg

OneSpartanburg Vision Plan 2.0 data indicated small business growth and creation below the national average. One goal of the Spartanburg County Vision Plan is to “strengthen the small and local business impact on the economy.” In 2023, the County and OneSpartanburg, Inc. partnered to create Power Up Spartanburg – a new initiative designed to make Spartanburg the best place in America to start or grow a small business. Since inception, the initiative has engaged 2,672 small businesses leading to measurable small business growth across the county. Would you support the continuation of Power Up Spartanburg? If so, why? If not, what specific plan would you implement to strengthen and grow small businesses across Spartanburg County?

I think the Power up Spartanburg is one of the best initiatives going with the support give to Small business ,minority business and startup .This countries back bone is small business we need to continue supporting small businesses keep this pipeline full and this is where Power up Spartanburg gives a hand up .

With the loss of public tournaments at the Upward Sports facility and its $15M annual impact, would you support investing in a new sports tourism facility (that would be available for residents’ use) if most of the funding is generated by visitors? If not, what is your alternative plan to replace this economic impact?

I have always supported sports tourism from my days with Boiling Spring Youth association we were always pushing tournament the money helped the association continue to function it is a great way to showcase Spartanburg and all the things we have to offer.

LOU PARRIS

Website: WWW.StrollerLouForCountyCouncil.com

The Office You're Seeking: Spartanburg County Council, District 2

Tell us about yourself, your involvement in our community, and what you are for.

Lou Parris is a native of Spartanburg County. He has spent his adult life in the Boiling Springs community. He married Debbie Harmon in 1978. They have two daughters, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Lou graduated from Spartanburg High School and studied political science and religion at Spartanburg Methodist College. Lou retired from the Spartanburg Herald-Journal after 45 years as a writer. He covered local and state government and was an investigative journalist, city editor and a columnist. For 25 years, Lou wrote the daily Stroller column in the Herald-Journal, which published his annual Stroller Cookbook. Lou, for nearly four decades, was the face of Goodfellows Inc., which annually put food on the tables of thousands of disadvantaged families in Spartanburg County. Through Lou's Stroller column, he led efforts to raise tens of thousands of dollars to further the work of Mobile Meals and the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen. Lou earned many South Carolina Press Association awards, his first being a first-place spot news reporting award at the age of 18. And his investigative reporting skills earned the Herald-Journal its first Freedom of Information Act Award for demanding transparency from our state government.

I would like to see this question reference a true number rather than stating FILOTs are responsible for "most of our community's jobs." Employment by sector figures show that a vast majority of our jobs are in the retail industry. It is understood, however, for competitive reasons, that our state could lose significant job growth if all new investment is assessed at 10.5 percent. For this reason, there is support for FILOT agreements, but I question not what we do in this regard but how we do it. The current process places more attention on the tax benefits to investors than the type and number of jobs being created, the level of wages and whether the jobs will be filled by local people. At the most recent County Council meeting, one councilman asked the attorney representing a company requesting a FILOT whether the jobs would be filled locally. It was good to hear that question asked, and it was a first in my presence, however, the attorney could not make any promises. Before any FILOT is approved, the contract should require the applicant to participate in a workforce training program at one of our institutions of higher learning. It gets back to not what we do but how we do it. Economic conditions have greatly improved since the arrival of BMW and companion manufacturers, and Spartanburg County can be selective when recruiting new business investment. We are in a position where we also can negotiate better deals. At present, there is no Council report to citizens on total FILOT payments received, business tax savings and jobs created. Homeowners and local businesses may face higher taxes to offset the FILOTs and pay for infrastructure expenses -- county expenses. Let us ensure that we have transparency and that the needs of all stakeholders.

Again, what is more important than what we do is how we do it. Yes, the extension of the penny tax was necessary to correct years of government failure to maintain our roads. What I didn't approve of was the timing. The latest penny tax was approved in November 2023, an election off year typically with low voter turnout. Approximately 34,000 votes were cast, and it passed by fewer than a 4,000-vote margin. It was hardly a mandate. We have approximately 11,000 people moving into Spartanburg County each year, and the needs of the highway system will continue to increase. A key concern I have is the projected condition of our road system in the next few years. We should monitor carefully and determine whether Spartanburg County can eliminate the one penny sales tax, assuming the highway funds are conservatively spent, projects are effectively and efficiently managed and the roads are improved. I hope our elected leaders have learned from the past mistake of letting our roads go unmaintained for years, leading to failures that gave us little choice other than the penny tax.

This is an important quality of life issue. And people have hard feelings over rising, unaffordable housing costs, including mortgage rates in the 6 percent to 6.5 percent range. Housing prices in South Carolina have increased upwards of 60 percent over the past five years. High demand from population growth has caused this rapid appreciation, and it has caused families to remain in rental property longer as they continue to work and save for a down payment on a house. At the federal government level, developers could be provided incentives to create more apartments and rentals through accelerated tax depreciation write-offs. Currently, apartment buildings are depreciated over 27.5 years. By allowing property owners to depreciate apartment buildings over 20 years, it could produce significant improvements in cash flow and financial returns. A tax incentive could make an enormous difference. Homebuilders, on the other hand, could help ease the affordability crisis by choosing more affordable, alternative building materials. Zoning and land-use reforms could enable smaller, lower-cost homes. The timeline for the approval process could be shortened to reduce development costs. Prefabrication techniques could be effective. 3-D construction technology would complete work in days compared to the months it takes with conventional processes. Again, it is not what we do but how we do it that will make a difference.

We must meet the needs of all Spartanburg County citizens who want good jobs to provide for their families at all levels on the economic spectrum – higher, middle and lower income. Americans are blessed to live a free enterprise system that values the desire and ability to succeed in life and rewards hard work, job skills and educational achievement. There is a continuous need for high-quality job creation since it drives a stronger and more stable local economy, increases economic productivity and drives a higher return on investment for the business community. When business benefits, employees and their families benefit. Overall, there is greater economic growth from high-quality jobs, financial security, life satisfaction and career advancement in Spartanburg County as the quality of employment opportunities improves. A higher standard of living for citizens increases the quality of life and opens doors for greater prosperity.

It is extremely important that Spartanburg County continues to achieve a thriving and growing small business community. But it is difficult for me to gauge the effectiveness of the Power Up initiative based on the preamble for your question. It states that the initiative has "engaged" 2,672 small businesses, leading to "measurable" growth. I would need to know how many of those engaged businesses flourished or perhaps failed. I would need to know the measured growth by the numbers rather than a vague sense of the outcome. But I am aware there are aspects of business development where Power Up can aid with resources through mentoring, specialty expertise and educational training. Small business development and growth can be the backbone of the community when processes are in place to achieve a successful outcome in the areas of business planning, financial funding, operational excellence, regulatory set-up and governmental reporting.

Upward Sports was sold in 2023. Significant cash was freed up from the $24 million sales transaction, and a refocusing of the ministry's efforts led to the demise of the public tournaments. It is important to note this decision was driven by the determination that the costs outweighed the benefits. The more money spent on the program just meant more losses. This is something to keep in mind when considering investing in a new sports tourism facility for Spartanburg County. Could it be supported? It is equally important to consider what is unfolding just down the road near Greer. A nearly $70 million regional Sports and Events Center with 200,000 square feet is scheduled to open early next year near the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. During planning for this sports tourism facility, the "heads and beds" impact from Spartanburg visitors weighed into the decision. The question is whether a second, nearby facility in Spartanburg could be a success financially. We need to ensure that we understand the needs and the desires of the citizens of Spartanburg County as we focus on next steps for athletic complexes. There is local benefit from these facilities, and a cost vs. benefit analysis may be in order as we seek to allocate scarce resources and meet the needs of our citizens.

AL SCHNEIDER

Candidate did not respond.

JASON SEAY

Website: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CguLiw9fD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Office You're Seeking: County Council District 2

Tell us about yourself, your involvement in our community, and what you are for.

I am a financial professional, a father, husband, and a dedicated public servant who believes Spartanburg is at a crossroads. With a background in finance and manufacturing, I don’t just look at "growth"—I look at the return on investment for the taxpayer.
- My Involvement
  - School Board Trustee: 9 years serving Spartanburg District 2, I’ve seen firsthand how rapid growth impacts our classrooms and infrastructure.
  - Business Leader: I use my financial expertise to advocate for budgetary discipline and common-sense economic development.
- What I Am For: Accountability You Can Seay
  - Infrastructure-First Growth: We must fix our roads and secure utilities before approving massive new developments. I am for "Smart Growth" that ends the gridlock in Boiling Springs and Chesnee.
    - High-Quality Jobs: I am for recruiting "mortgage-paying" careers in life sciences and tech—industries that offer high wages with a low impact on our roads and services.
    - Taxpayer Protection: I am for protecting your wallet. Whether managing the "Penny" projects or negotiating business incentives, I’ll ensure visitors and corporations pay their fair share to keep the burden off local homeowners.

I’m for a Spartanburg that is prosperous, planned, and predictable. I’m asking for your vote to bring financial leadership and accountability to County Council.

As a financial professional and school board trustee, I support FILOT (Fee in Lieu of Tax) agreements because they are a necessary tool to offset South Carolina’s high 10.5% manufacturing tax. Without them, we lose high-paying jobs to neighboring states. However, a FILOT should be a performance-based contract, not a blank check. To earn my support, a project must meet these three criteria:
- High-Wage Thresholds: I will prioritize "mortgage-paying" jobs over low-wage warehousing. To qualify for a tax break, a company’s average salary should meet or exceed our county's median income. We want to recruit careers that allow our local graduates to thrive here.
- Infrastructure & School Impact: Every agreement must include an impact analysis. If a project brings 500 families but overwhelms our local schools and roads, the "deal" doesn't work for the taxpayer. Growth must pay for itself through infrastructure mitigation.
- Clawback Provisions: I will require ironclad "clawback" clauses. If a company fails to meet its promised job numbers or investment totals, they should lose their tax incentives proportionally. The taxpayer should never be left holding the bag for a broken promise.

Bottom Line: I am pro-jobs, but I am first and foremost pro-accountability. I will use FILOTs to keep Spartanburg competitive, but I will ensure every deal is a win for the people who already live and pay taxes here.

I supported both the 2017 and 2023 referendums because they represent the most fiscally conservative way to fund massive infrastructure needs. The "Penny" allows us to fix our roads without raising property taxes or drowning the county in high-interest debt. While I support the funding mechanism, my focus on County Council will be prioritization. I will fight to ensure District 2 receives its fair share of these funds to address the specific gridlock in Boiling Springs and Chesnee. We must ensure these dollars are spent strategically, alongside smart zoning, so we aren't just paving over poor planning.

To keep Spartanburg obtainable for everyone, we have to stop the "quantity over quality" mindset. Here is my approach:
- Infrastructure-First Growth: Obtainability isn’t just about the mortgage; it’s about the total cost of living. When we build without adequate roads, residents pay for it in gas, time, and car repairs. I will only support growth where the infrastructure is already capable of handling it, steering development toward existing service hubs to keep costs down for everyone.
- Protecting Long-Term Residents: Uncontrolled rezoning causes surrounding property values—and tax assessments—to skyrocket. This "Appreciation Trap" forces seniors and working families out of their homes. By implementing Smart Growth boundaries, we stabilize land values and keep the cost of living predictable for the people who have spent a lifetime building this county.
- Prioritizing our Workforce: Right now, we are building for the highest bidder while our teachers, deputies, and nurses are being priced out. We must focus on housing options tied to our local employment centers so the people who keep Spartanburg running can actually afford to live here. You shouldn't have to choose between an affordable home and a two-hour commute.

I fully support the shift toward high-value, low-impact recruitment. A stagnant economy forces the tax burden onto homeowners, but "growth at any cost" has created our current infrastructure crisis. My strategy focuses on three areas:
- Targeting High-Wage Sectors: I will continue the momentum in life sciences and advanced manufacturing. These industries provide "mortgage-paying" jobs for our residents while having a much smaller footprint on our roads than massive logistics warehouses.
- Protecting the Taxpayer: To keep property taxes low, we must expand the industrial tax base. By recruiting companies that contribute more in tax revenue than they require in county services, we take the financial pressure off local families.
- Quality Over Quantity: I will prioritize businesses that respect our infrastructure and invest in our local talent. My experience on the School Board allows me to bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring our students are ready for high-paying roles right here at home. We don’t need more growth; we need better growth. I will work to recruit companies that raise our per capita income without lowering our quality of life.

I fully support the continuation of Power Up Spartanburg. As a small business owner, I know that local entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy—they keep wealth in our community and create a unique sense of place. Here is why this initiative is vital:
- Closing the Gap: Being below the national average in small business creation is a wake-up call. Power Up’s engagement with over 2,600 businesses proves there was an immense, untapped need for support and access to capital.
- A Resilient Tax Base: Helping a local resident open a shop or service business is a cost-effective way to grow our economy. It diversifies our tax base so we aren't solely dependent on large-scale manufacturing or out-of-state developers.
- Cutting Red Tape: My goal is to ensure "Power Up" is a county-wide mindset. We must examine our ordinances and permitting processes to ensure we aren't accidentally strangling local startups with unnecessary bureaucracy.

A healthy economy requires a balance of global industry and local grit. Accountability You Can Seay means investing in the neighbors who have the most to lose if our county doesn't succeed.

I support investing in a new sports tourism facility, provided it is visitor-funded. The $15 million annual impact lost with the Upward facility shift must be recovered to keep our local economy strong and our property taxes low. Here is my plan to replace that impact:
- Hospitality-Funded, Resident-Used: I will prioritize projects funded by Hospitality and Accommodations Taxes (taxes paid by visitors on hotel stays and meals). This allows tourists to foot the bill for a premier facility that our local families and youth leagues can use during the week.
- Multipurpose Utility: We shouldn't build for just one sport. Any new facility must be a flexible, year-round venue for everything from basketball and volleyball to pickleball, ensuring a constant "Return on Investment" for our small businesses.
- Community First: My support is conditional on guaranteed access for Spartanburg residents. This shouldn't just be a "tourist trap"; it must be a community asset that improves the quality of life for the people who live here.

Sports tourism is a clean, high-revenue industry. By making Spartanburg a destination for tournaments, we generate the tax revenue needed to maintain our county without asking local homeowners to pay more.

JOSH WYKEL

Website: N/A

The Office You're Seeking: Spartanburg County Council, District 2

Tell us about yourself, your involvement in our community, and what you are for.

I’ve lived in the Lake Bowen area my entire life, and now my wife and I are raising our children on the same land where my great-grandparents lived. This community isn’t just where I’m from, it’s where I’m invested for the long term. Professionally, I work in fleet and transportation strategy, where I focus on efficiency, cost control, and long-term planning. That experience has shaped how I look at local government: spend responsibly, plan ahead, and make decisions that actually work in the real world. I’m for smart growth, strong public safety, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. I believe we need to keep up with growth instead of constantly playing catch-up, especially when it comes to roads, emergency services, and infrastructure. At the same time, we need to protect what makes our community special and make sure long-time residents aren’t priced out or overlooked. I’m also a strong believer in transparency and accessibility. People deserve to know how decisions are made and how their money is spent. Good leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about listening, being honest, and making practical decisions that move the community forward.

Yes, I support the use of FILOT agreements because South Carolina is at a structural disadvantage compared to other states. If we don’t use tools like this, we risk losing jobs and investment to neighboring states. That said, FILOTs should be used carefully and with clear expectations. My criteria for approval: High-Wage Guarantees: The jobs created must pay above the county average. Local Hiring: Preference for companies that commit to hiring Spartanburg residents. Claw back Provisions: If the company doesn't meet its investment or job goals, the tax breaks are revoked. We have to protect the taxpayer. FILOTs should never be a blank check. They should be a performance-based partnership that benefits both the company and the people of Spartanburg County.

Yes, I support both the 2017 and 2023 referendums because they addressed real needs without increasing property taxes or taking on debt. The biggest advantage is that a significant portion of the revenue comes from visitors, which helps reduce the burden on local residents. At the same time, these investments improved roads and facilities that were already behind due to growth. The key going forward is accountability. Voters supported these measures because they trusted the funds would be used responsibly. We need to make sure projects are completed efficiently, priorities are clear, and the public can easily track progress and spending. This approach, paying as we go, avoiding debt, and sharing the cost with visitors, is a practical model that makes sense when done right.

Housing affordability is a growing concern, and it ties directly to how we manage growth. We need a balanced approach that includes: Encouraging a mix of housing types so people at different income levels have options Making sure infrastructure and zoning decisions support responsible development Reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers that drive up building costs Supporting workforce housing near job centers to reduce commute strain At the same time, we have to be mindful of existing communities. Growth shouldn’t come at the expense of long-time residents. Good planning is key. If we’re proactive instead of reactive, we can create opportunities for new housing while maintaining the character and livability of our area.

Absolutely. We don’t just need more jobs; we need better jobs. High-impact sectors like life sciences and advanced manufacturing provide the tax base we need to keep resident taxes low without overcrowding our schools and roads with low-wage, high-traffic retail. I will always prioritize the "quality" of a project's impact on our daily lives over the "quantity" of a press release headline.

Yes, I support continuing Power Up Spartanburg. Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and they create jobs, innovation, and community identity. Programs like this help connect business owners with resources, training, and support they might not otherwise have access to. That’s especially important for startups and locally owned businesses trying to grow. Going forward, I’d want to ensure the program remains results-driven and accessible across the entire county—not just concentrated in one area. We should also continue looking for ways to reduce barriers for small businesses, whether that’s simplifying processes or improving access to capital and mentorship. Supporting small business isn’t just good economics—it’s how we build a stronger, more self-sustaining community.

Yes, I would support investing in a new sports tourism facility if most of the funding comes from visitors and it also benefits local residents. Losing that level of economic impact affects hotels, restaurants, and small businesses across the county. Replacing it should be a priority, but it needs to be done responsibly. Any investment should include: A clear return on investment Strong usage plans for both tournaments and local access Limited financial risk to taxpayers Transparency in costs and long-term maintenance If done right, a facility like this can drive economic activity while also giving residents a place to use and enjoy. It should be a win for both our economy and our community.




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2026 Spartanburg County Council District 2 Election

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

JACK MABRY (i)

LOU PARRIS

AL SCHNEIDER

JASON SEAY

JOSH WYKEL

What Our Members are Saying