Any of the three Democratic candidates running in a special election to replace Marlon Kimpson in Senate District 42 would be a better leader than just about any Republican serving now in the state Senate. But only one candidate can win the Sept. 5 Democratic primary. We believe S.C. Rep. J.A. Moore is best suited for the job.
Senate District 42 curls from a strip of West Ashley north of Savannah Highway to the Septima P. Clark Parkway and north from the upper peninsula. It winds its way along Interstate 26 to include Charleston International Airport and part of North Charleston. It’s a suburban and urban district where almost half of the voters are 25 to 44 years old. Of the 54,700 voters in the district, 54% are Black and 56% are women.
Moore’s top three priorities — more affordable housing, more jobs for the low-income to middle-income district and better funding for education — mimic what many people who live in the district surely see as challenges.
Moore, a chef and business owner who lives in North Charleston, currently represents parts of Charleston and Berkeley counties in the S.C. Statehouse. Now is his time to advance. He is well-known for pushing more affordable housing, including the availability of more affordable homes and more rentals. He promotes economic growth and job opportunities, particularly for small businesses. And he advocates for initiatives that enhance access to better education, including making sure students have the tools they need.
“The status quo — underfunded schools, gridlock traffic, rising housing costs — isn’t good enough,” he says.
Moore also understands the importance of promoting the basic values of American democracy in a state and country that has leaders who want to tear it down.
“When communities are safe, people believe in government again,” he said in a Charleston City Paper survey. “We need to restore trust back in government to strengthen our democracy by holding our elected officials in Columbia accountable and provide more transparency.”
While all of these issues make sense for people in Senate District 42, two things also stand out about Moore.
First is his passion for service and helping others. You can’t get away from him without being inspired, whether it’s in a brief conversation or listening to him speaking at the opening of the International African American Museum in June.
Second is how he offered a strong voice supporting reproductive health opportunities just last week when the state Supreme Court reversed itself to enable a wrong-minded six-week statewide abortion ban. Most male leaders didn’t jump into the fray, but Moore did:
“I believe that ensuring women have control over their personal health care decisions is an urgent and unaddressed matter,” he told the City Paper. “It’s essential to empower women. I have been fighting like hell to protect women’s reproductive rights and their doctors from fear of retaliation.”
Let’s hope he can fight for everyone as South Carolina’s newest senator. The primary is Sept. 5.
[9/6 UPDATE: S.C. Reps. Wendell Gilliard and Deon Tedder will face off in a Sept. 19 runoff based on the results of the Sept. 5 primary.]
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