John Moffett
Elections and appointments
Personal
Contact
John Moffett (Democratic Party) ran for election to the South Carolina House of Representatives to represent District 110. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Moffett completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
John Moffett earned a high school diploma from Maret School and a bachelor's degree from the College of Charleston. His career experience includes working as a consultant.
[1]
Elections
2024
See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. John Moffett advanced from the Democratic primary for South Carolina House of Representatives District 110.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Tom Hartnett advanced from the Republican primary for South Carolina House of Representatives District 110.
Campaign finance
Endorsements
To view Moffett's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Moffett in this election.
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
John Moffett completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Moffett's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Expand all | Collapse all
My name is John Moffett, and I am a candidate for the South Carolina State House, representing District 110, which includes Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry. I am a longtime advocate for the environment, public health, and common-sense solutions to complex issues. A graduate of The College of Charleston, I have spent my career building coalitions, advocating for the public good, and working to solve real problems for working families in South Carolina. My wife Annika and I live in downtown Charleston with our daughter, Margot, and our black lab, Mo. I believe that we need a new generation of leaders who understand the challenges families in the Lowcountry face, from rising costs to flooding and overdevelopment. I am running to bring common sense back to the South Carolina State House, protect our community’s values, and work across party lines to deliver results.
- Tackling climate change and flooding in Charleston is a top priority. I am committed to leading efforts to address these challenges through creative, proactive solutions and working with diverse stakeholders to protect our future.
- I will fight for increased infrastructure funding in the Lowcountry, ensuring our community gets its fair share of state resources to repair roads, reduce traffic congestion, and prepare for future growth.
- I will work to restore women’s reproductive freedoms and protect a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions, including the right to have an abortion, following the passage of South Carolina’s extreme abortion ban.
I am passionate about policies that protect our environment, support working families, and safeguard individual rights. As an advocate for conservation, I have championed efforts to protect South Carolina’s natural resources and tackle the growing threat of climate change. I also believe in strengthening our public education system, supporting law enforcement and first responders, and fighting for common-sense gun safety reforms. Additionally, I am committed to ensuring that women’s reproductive rights are protected and that the Lowcountry gets the attention and resources it needs to address its infrastructure challenges, including traffic, flooding, and overdevelopment.
I look up to Mayor Joe Riley, who served Charleston for 40 years with a vision and dedication that transformed the city. He was a leader who understood the importance of balancing growth with preservation, and he worked tirelessly to enhance Charleston’s quality of life while protecting its unique character. Mayor Riley’s approach to leadership—collaborative, forward-thinking, and focused on the long-term good—has inspired me. He made it a priority to listen to his constituents and bring people together to solve problems, whether it was rebuilding after Hurricane Hugo or revitalizing downtown Charleston. I hope to follow his example by leading with integrity, embracing bold solutions, and always prioritizing the needs of the community.
I recommend All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren. It’s a powerful examination of power, responsibility, and morality in politics. It shows how important it is to stay grounded in principles and avoid the allure of ambition and corruption.
An elected official should be driven by integrity, transparency, and a commitment to public service. Listening to constituents, making decisions based on facts and fairness, and acting with honesty are crucial qualities. Officials must also be willing to collaborate across party lines to solve problems and deliver results for their community.
I believe my ability to listen, collaborate, and find common ground will make me a successful officeholder. I have spent my career bringing diverse groups of people together to solve complex problems, and I’m committed to approaching issues with practicality and an open mind. My passion for public service drives me to work hard and stay focused on achieving real results for my community. I also value transparency and accountability, and I will ensure that my actions as an elected official reflect the needs and concerns of the people I represent. My experience in advocacy, coalition-building, and policy development has prepared me to navigate the complexities of government and make a positive impact for Charleston and the Lowcountry.
The core responsibilities of a state legislator are to represent the interests and concerns of their constituents, pass legislation that improves the lives of the people in their district and across the state, and hold government agencies accountable. A legislator must also ensure state resources are distributed equitably and that policies reflect the needs of all South Carolinians.
I want to leave a legacy of positive change for Charleston and the Lowcountry by addressing key challenges like flooding, infrastructure, and protecting natural resources. I hope to be remembered as a leader who listened to the community, worked across party lines, and stood firm on principles of fairness—particularly in protecting women’s rights, expanding healthcare access, and improving public education. My goal is to make government work better for the people it serves and to improve quality of life for future generations.
I vaguely remember Bill Clinton's victory in 1992. One specific memory is going to Monticello with my dad to see the Clinton-Gore Pre-Inauguration Bus Tour kickoff.
I worked on a ferry boat when I was 15 for a summer!
The Good Lord Bird by James McBride
Here in My Arms by Leon Bridges
The ideal relationship between the governor and the legislature is one of mutual respect and collaboration. While each branch has distinct roles, both should work together to create effective policies that serve the public. Healthy debate is important, but ultimately the governor and legislature should seek common ground to move the state forward.
South Carolina faces several challenges in the coming decade, including managing the impacts of climate change, particularly flooding in the Lowcountry, improving public education, and ensuring economic development benefits all communities. Balancing growth with environmental protection, addressing healthcare access, and ensuring affordable housing are also critical issues.
While previous experience can be helpful, it is not essential. What matters most is a deep understanding of the issues facing the community and a willingness to listen, learn, and work hard for solutions. Fresh perspectives can often lead to new ideas and creative approaches to policy.
Yes, building relationships with other legislators is essential for passing effective legislation. Good relationships foster collaboration and compromise, which are necessary in a diverse state legislature. By working together, legislators can bridge divides and find solutions that benefit all South Carolinians.
I admire Senator Ernest "Fritz" Hollings for his pragmatic approach and commitment to improving the lives of South Carolinians. He worked across the aisle to pass meaningful legislation while staying true to the values of his home state.
Right now, I am focused on representing the people of District 110 and addressing the issues that matter to Charleston and the Lowcountry. My priority is to make a difference in this role, and I am not thinking about other offices at this time.
One story that sticks with me is from a family who lost everything during a major flood in Charleston. They struggled to recover and navigate the complicated relief system. Their resilience inspired me to prioritize climate and flooding solutions and to advocate for policies that protect vulnerable communities from future disasters.
I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around.
Yes, the legislature should oversee the use of emergency powers. While it is important for governors to act swiftly in emergencies, there must be checks and balances to prevent abuse and ensure that emergency actions are in line with the state’s laws and constitution.
The first bill I would introduce would focus on increasing infrastructure funding for the Lowcountry to address flooding and traffic issues. Charleston needs state support to protect its residents from the growing threat of climate change, and this funding is critical to ensuring a sustainable future.
Planned Parenthood Votes, Fair Fight
I am interested in serving on committees related to the environment, education, and infrastructure. These areas are critical for the future of South Carolina and align with my passion for conservation, improving public schools, and solving the challenges of traffic, flooding, and overdevelopment.
Financial transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining public trust in government. Elected officials and government agencies must be transparent in how taxpayer dollars are spent and be accountable to the people they serve. This includes clear reporting, regular audits, and oversight mechanisms to prevent waste and abuse.
I believe a state ballot initiative process would be a positive step for South Carolina. It empowers citizens to directly shape the policies that impact their lives and ensures that their voices are heard on critical issues. With proper safeguards to ensure initiatives are well-researched and thoughtfully considered, this process can enhance democracy and encourage greater civic engagement. It also allows voters to address issues that might not be receiving adequate attention in the legislature, giving the people more control over their government.
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.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
External links
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 20, 2024
Leadership
Speaker of the House:G. Murrell Smith
Majority Leader:Davey Hiott
Minority Leader:James Rutherford
Representatives
Republican Party (86)
Democratic Party (36)
Vacancies (2)