Brad Mole

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Brad Mole

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

June 9, 2020

Personal

Birthplace

Allendale, S.C.

Religion

Christian

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

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Brad Mole (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. He lost in the Republican primary on June 9, 2020.

Mole completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Brad Mole was born in Allendale, South Carolina. Mole attended Horry-Georgetown Technical College and the University of South Carolina for his undergraduate studies. His professional experience includes working as an entrepreneur and town official. He has been involved with the Lowcountry Affordable Housing Coalition.

Elections

2020

See also: South Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2020

South Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (June 9 Republican primary)

South Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (June 9 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House South Carolina District 1

Nancy Mace defeated incumbent Joe Cunningham in the general election for U.S. House South Carolina District 1 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nancy Mace (R)	50.6	216,042
		Joe Cunningham (D)	49.3	210,627
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	442

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 427,111
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Joe Cunningham advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House South Carolina District 1.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Benjamin Frasier (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House South Carolina District 1

Nancy Mace defeated Kathy Landing, Chris Cox, and Brad Mole in the Republican primary for U.S. House South Carolina District 1 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nancy Mace	57.5	48,411
		Kathy Landing	25.9	21,835
	Submit photo	Chris Cox	9.7	8,179
		Brad Mole	6.9	5,800

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 84,225
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jamison Johnson (R)
• Logan Cunningham (R)
• Phillip Norris (R)
• Mike Covert (R)

Campaign themes

2020

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released March 26, 2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Brad Mole completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mole's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Brad Mole was born and raised in Hampton County, SC. A preacher's kid, Mole married his wife, Navy veteran Lalie and settled in Bluffton, SC where they are raising their four children. Brad is a pro-life Christian who believes in the sanctity of marriage. Mole supports a free market economy, well-equipped military and borders as secured as one would want a home. Brad is campaigning to win the District 1 seat for all of the Lowcountry, based on the same local values born when Robert Smalls founded the South Carolina Republican Party following the Civil War.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I believe in school choice, providing parents the opportunity to beat determine their children's education.
• The highest quality health care should be available to every American. I support patient centered medicine, tailored to each recipients respective needs.
• We owe everything to our nation's veterand; active, reserve and guard members, and our police and emergency responders. I believe we should put very resource toward providing them the best quality of life our nation may offer.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education is perhaps the most important commodity one may attain. Yet while many would want us to believe, we do not need more funding. Rather, we need more responsible funding. College students may take their funds to any school whose tuition and fees are covered by the financial aid the student owns. I think K-12 should be no different, and believe curriculum should be more dynamic according to the students learning it.

We have debated health care in this nation since at least former president Lyndon Baines Johnson introduced the Great Society, and more government control over medicine. Creating a completely separate industry in itself through regulation. Simply, we've created jobs that have no purpose in health care other than paperwork that ensures federal compliance. I believe we should eliminate this overhead, let patients and doctors may educated choices together at smaller costs, and trust everyday Americans with their respective medical treatments.

No words can express our gratitude for lur nations protectors. Any American who puts his or her life on the line for the rest of us should have simple, easy and appreciated access to everything from excellent education and health care, to the best equipment and support while in uniform. Cost should never be the primary question, but rather as much safety and security we may provide.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I admire Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator from Texas, because he is direct and to the point. I respect our U.S. Senator from South Carolina, Tim Scott because he helps bring change through inspiration. And I admire Representative Will Hurd of Texas because he see the future and current need for diversity of the Republican Party, and the party to look as diverse as America.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I would say if you read the Bible, then you'll understand the foundation of my philosophy.

I believe the recent movie Harriet Gunman film shows my characteristic in how to get people to a place where they can be their best selves. As an elecred official, I want to help people get to get to a place by helping ensure they have the right resources including more freedom and less government interference to achieve those ends.

I strive to represent a community of people where I've had some influence in motivating them to do the same, continually helping me to be my best self. I believe when we are challenged is when we all grow.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Principles that are the most important to an elected official are to be honest, have integrity and listen to those around him or her. Even listening to his or her family as well as the constituents who all may provide solutions and valuable insight. I think too the elected shoule be ready to plan well for time to be there for each.

I also think patience and the desire to truly listen are important. Something that I have believed for most of my adult life is that the first conversation isn't always the real or whole story, and sometimes it takes talking to someone further about an issue in order to get what the core reasons are for their perspective and. To the core of what is really important.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am confident in that I know I am excellent at helping people be better. I would say I am great at relationship building , and believe that makes me a candidate to be a successful officeholder.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

In order to be effective, elected officials must work as part of a team to establish a shared vision for the future, develop goals and plans that make that future possible, and work with their colleagues and constituents to enact the policies and laws that will ultimately lead to that accomplishment.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Miles Monroe said our goals as human beings should be to go to the grave empty-handed. Meaning, we should sacrifice in as much as we can and give as much as we can, love as much as we can and push those around us to be the best that they can be through providing incurred encouragement, compassion and the resources they need in order to pursue happiness.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event I remember was Hurricane Hugo in the Charleston S.C. area. Being raised a preacher's kid, my parents, other community leaders and I at age 12 traveled from Hampton County, S.C. to help those in need.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was sweeping hair at a local barbershop at age 13, every Saturday for about 5 hours. I did that for about a year.

What is your favorite book? Why?

God's Holy Word, the Bible. It is the original ancestry.com, providing the history and legacy of all believers and followers of Jesus Christ.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Dominic Torreto - from The Fast & The Furious Franchise.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Wagon Wheel - By Darius Rucker

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

A struggle for many Americans is being in the place where you feel like you are one step away from doing really well in life or doing bad in life. It's that story that comes right before success that is a struggle sometimes. It's the American story to strive for greatness. One of the things Crossfit taught me was I could do more than I thought I could, as I have been in tbis same position as so many Americans.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The House represents the people. Regardless what state or district, the rules for respresentatiom are the same, so a population count completed by the U..S. Census is ordered every 10 years to determine how many representatives are sent by each state. The amazing balance is created by the U.S. Senate where each state has dual representation, that prevents larger states from dominating the smaller ones.

But more, the house is most likely to feature a rural school teacher serving alongside a power broker attorney. A combat veteran from who grew up on a peach tree or tomato farm seated next to a Wall Street trader. The representatives carry the same respect as their Senate counterparts, but they are more uniquely knit to the citizens and residents they represent; where one may know both his or her senators in a state, majority of constituents are less likely to know other representatives even as they historically give staunch loyalty to their own.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe it can be beneficial and it can be a liability. I've talked with military veterans and asked them similar questions about serbing in uniform. If it's better to be enlisted before earning an officer's commission.

On the experienced side, one may be more familiar with mechanics, traditions, and other workings. On the newly experienced hand, one is likely to come with less bias and a more open mind. I think this is why I champion the idea of term limits, because I believe new, fresh ideas and focus provide opportunity for more immediate results contemporary to the present time.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

I believe the breakdown of the traditional family unit to be the greatest challenge the United States faces over the next decade. It suddenly seems that every type of personal, sociological descriptor may nke be listed regarding a person's sex, or sexual orientation, state marriage is being confused with biblical marriage, and our kids are being raised to have to try and learn the distinctions. Or being told there are no differences.

I believe there is an inhherent danger when we're teaching to resoect differences at the same time we're saying there are no differences, and further trouble when some are calling for tolerance while also condemning those who believe differently.

Father John Dickinson said during the Revolutionary War, "United we stand, divided we fall." A quote used many times, but then so many timeless words have been watered down these days.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I think the Armed Services, Education and Labor, and Veterans Affairs committees stand out more than others for South Carokina District 1.

We are home to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island where at least one-half of the world's finest fighters receive their basic training, as well as the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, Joint Base Charleston occupied by the Air Force and Navy where my wife once served, and numerous reserve and guard armories.

I've said before a formal education is foundational to a stable life. And in a dynamic 21st Century economy, I believe a focus on schools and labor are as critical as ever to sustainable livelihood. And that we have too much bureaucracy between our district and the federal government that I eould like to help eliminate. The coastal Lowcountry has a distinct culture, climate and opportunity from one in upstate New York or Seattle, Washington. We should be able to decide for ourselves how to best educate our local population, especially our own kids or for our own careers.

Our veterans are often forgotten about, even as so many of easily thank them for their service. While I commend the innumerous non-profit private organizations who assist our nation's heroes, our federal government has only recently started reshaping the Deoartment of. Veteran's Affairs to put more resources at the disposal of the vets including community-based, private care. I want to see more of those opportunities become the standard.

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

N/A

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I believe that term could be adjusted. When the founders drafted the concept during the late 1700's, I do not believe they had the 24-hour newscycle in mind much less the continual fundraising we now see seemingly dominate political ideology.

I could imagine one four-year term and then, new representation. Eliminating the focus on never ending fundraising that seems to have replaced the essence of the people's representsrion on key issues that do not seem to get resolved in reasonable time.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I would like to see a one-term limit of four years in the U.S. House of Representatives, and will join any practical, conservative effort to help change see it realized if I am elected.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

I will be new to Congress, so I will not be immediately seeking a leadership role. As I've said before, each district in the House is distinct, and we have 435 total seats being represented. I believe I will better serve South Carolina's 1sr District by first joining together with colleagues who share interests including Buddy Carter of coastal Georgia's 1st District while also working closely with my would-be Democratic counterpart from South Carolina's 6th District Jim Clyburn.

Our region has been discussing a shared oven port terminal for more than two decades. I would like to help see that development accelerate along with the logistical infrastructure needed including a new Interstate exit under proposal. I would also like tobsee further develooment of the oft forgotten USDA Promise Zone that is not part of my district, but would help perhaps the pooresr region of South Carolina whose residents commute as much as 2-hours each direction to work in our hospitality industry.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I would like to capture the pioneering spirit of the founder of the South. Carolina Republican Parry, Robert Smalls, and remind more African-Americans who have voted Democrat about our core, conservative cultural values centered around family. I also admire Will Hurd of Texas, who understands the need for the Republican Party to continue to reflect the diversity of the United States.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

One particular resident of Bluffton, SC who I helped, when I worked for the town, by guiding her through a home repair program. She was a single parent and wanted to pursue a photography business while still working an everyday job.

I think that is most of America. Everyday people who have passions and want the oppoetunity to follow them whether in small businesses, more ambitious entrepreneurship, or other means of helping drive folks upward and out of poverty.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2020 Elections

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Footnotes

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South Carolina's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Lindsey Graham (R)

Tim Scott (R)

Representatives

District 1

Nancy Mace (R)

District 2

Joe Wilson (R)

District 3

Sheri Biggs (R)

District 4

William Timmons (R)

District 5

Ralph Norman (R)

District 6

James Clyburn (D)

District 7

Russell Fry (R)

Republican Party (8)

Democratic Party (1)