Our view: Vote for common sense in June 11 primaries

Vote for common sense in June 11 primaries

Use the power of your vote Tuesday to put good people, not nimrods, into office. Here are our endorsements for the June 11 primaries based on surveys we received from candidates:

Republican primary: Kitchens, Senn, more

Charleston County Sheriff: Greg Kitchens. A former county deputy who retired as a Marine colonel in the reserves, Kitchens offers the best leadership plan of GOP candidates running for the position. He seems clear-eyed about fixing issues at the sheriff’s office that have arisen through the years.

S.C. Senate District 41: Sandy Senn. As we wrote in a recent endorsement editorial for Senn, the courageous two-term Charleston senator deserves reelection because she is the only real option for voters who want a leader instead of a right-wing zealot. “She provides the thoughtful leadership across party lines that is vital for our state to move forward and away from the partisan vitriol too common in modern politics.”

U.S. House, District 1: Nancy Mace. None of three GOP congressional candidates filled out a candidate survey, but the public record tips our grudging nod to Mace and the loud media hype she has following her.

U.S. House, District 6: Justin Scott. The Republican welder says he’ll come into office with an open mind, which is just what the doctor ordered for the nation.

No endorsement: S.C. Senate District 44, S.C. House Districts 112 and 114.

Democratic primary: Green, Tedder, Moore

S.C. House District 111: Dwayne M. Green. A well-known lawyer, Green is the fresh face that the Charleston-centric district needs. And he’ll focus on three things that people across the state really need: improving educational outcomes, more affordable housing and increased economic opportunities.

S.C. Senate District 42: Deon Tedder. A freshman senator running for his first full term, Tedder has quickly used previous S.C. House experience to become a leading progressive voice in the state Senate. With a full term ahead of him, he will have an opportunity to do a lot of good for the Lowcountry.

U.S. House District 1: Michael B. Moore. The Lowcountry congressional district is lucky to have two qualified Democrats running to replace a Republican incumbent. But we back Moore for how he can use collaborative, collegial relationships built as the founding president of the International African American Museum to push priorities on safeguarding reproductive freedom, a more inclusive economy and protecting the coast from the ravages of climate change.

No endorsement: S.C. House Districts 15 and 116.