Both of the candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 85 —Jay Kilmartin (R) and John Davis (L) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Eighty-eight of the country’s 99 state legislative chambers will hold regularly scheduled elections in 2022. The Republican Party controls both chambers of South Carolina’s state legislature. South Carolina is one of 23 states with a Republican trifecta.
Here are excerpts from candidates’ responses to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Kilmartin:
“I am 100% pro-life. With Roe v. Wade poised to be overturned, there is no reason that South Carolina shouldn’t outlaw abortion immediately. In 2020, I spoke on the state house steps to end the lockdowns. Our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness doesn’t end due to a pandemic. Citizens including students should never be forced to wear masks. I believe in healthcare freedom. Nobody should be forced to take a vaccine to make a living and go about their every day lives.”
Davis:
“One of the primary points of my campaign is the legalization of marijuana. First off, there is a growing body of research that shows medical use of marijuana has a profound beneficial effect on the lives of those suffering from a variety of illnesses. Far too many people would benefit from medical marijuana, whether it’s to help a veteran through PTSD or depression, a young child reduce the number and frequency of seizures, or to help cancer patients with their post Chemo nausea, there’s proof that allowing marijuana use for medicinal purposes would be a major benefit to our communities.”
Click on candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.
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