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Melinda Henrickson
Melinda Henrickson (Democratic Party) ran for election to the South Carolina House of Representatives to represent District 124. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Henrickson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Melinda Henrickson was born in Washington, D.C.. Henrickson's professional experience includes working as a business owner. She earned a bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary in 1998 and a graduate degree from Bellevue University in 2013. Henrickson has been affiliated with Families Against Book Bans.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 124
Incumbent Shannon Erickson defeated Melinda Henrickson in the general election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 124 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Shannon Erickson (R) | 63.2 | 13,086 |
 | Melinda Henrickson (D)  | 36.7 | 7,589 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 26 | ||
| Total votes: 20,701 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Melinda Henrickson advanced from the Democratic primary for South Carolina House of Representatives District 124.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Shannon Erickson advanced from the Republican primary for South Carolina House of Representatives District 124.
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Henrickson in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Melinda Henrickson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Henrickson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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In January 2023, she founded Families Against Book Bans (FABB), a grassroots activism organization to oppose the rise in censorship and book banning in South Carolina. Melinda is now running to amplify the voices of those who have been silenced for too long. She believes that everyone deserves access to high-quality public education and economic opportunity, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
Melinda has a bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from The College of William & Mary and a master's degree in Organizational Performance from Bellevue University. She owns and operates a store in downtown Beaufort and lives on Lady’s Island with her husband and three children.- Women’s Reproductive Rights - I unequivocally support women's reproductive rights, recognizing their autonomy over their bodies. Access to comprehensive healthcare, including contraception and safe abortion services, is fundamental for women's health and empowerment. I stand firm in ensuring legislative protection and societal acceptance, fostering a world where every woman can make informed choices about her reproductive health without judgment or barriers.
- Quality Public School Education for Every Child - As an advocate for education equity, I prioritize the establishment and maintenance of world-class public schools in SC. My platform centers on investing in robust curriculum, modern facilities, and highly qualified and well-compensated teachers to provide every student with a pathway to success. I believe that quality public education is not just a right but a cornerstone of a thriving society, and I’m committed to ensuring that all students have access to the resources they need to excel.
- Common Sense Gun Safety - I firmly believe in implementing common sense gun regulations to ensure the safety of our communities. By advocating for universal background checks, closing loopholes, and restricting access to military-grade weapons, we can protect our citizens while upholding Second Amendment rights. It's time to prioritize sensible measures that prevent gun violence and promote responsible gun ownership.
Compassion is a cornerstone of effective leadership, enabling me to empathize with the diverse needs and experiences of constituents. By genuinely understanding and caring about the challenges they face, I can advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of all members of my community. My compassionate approach fosters trust and strengthens connections with those I serve, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.
Humility is a trait that grounds me in an awareness of my own limitations and biases. Embracing humility allows me to recognize when I need input from others, to learn from diverse perspectives, and to acknowledge and rectify mistakes openly. As an officeholder, my humility will enable me to collaborate effectively with colleagues, to seek out expertise from a wide range of sources, and to lead with integrity and authenticity.
The Challenger disaster was not just a national tragedy; it felt deeply personal to me. I had been captivated by the idea of space exploration and had looked up to the astronauts as heroes. Seeing such a catastrophic failure shattered my innocence and introduced me to the harsh realities of risk and mortality. It made me question the reliability of technology and the fallibility of human endeavors.
In the aftermath of the disaster, there was a collective sense of mourning and reflection. The loss of seven brave astronauts, including McAuliffe, was felt across the nation. It sparked conversations about the importance of safety protocols, the pressures of the space race, and the need to honor the sacrifices of those who dare to explore the unknown.
The uncertainty inherent in military life complicated long-term planning and my own career advancement and the frequent moves disrupted employment opportunities and my professional networks.
In addition, the burden of managing household responsibilities and family affairs fell heavily on my shoulders during deployments and training exercises. Balancing the demands of family life with the realities of military service was emotionally and physically taxing, requiring immense flexibility and resourcefulness.
2. **Economic Development**: Encouraging sustainable economic growth, attracting businesses while also prioritizing local workforce development, and diversifying the economy beyond traditional sectors like manufacturing and tourism.
3. **Infrastructure**: Upgrading and maintaining infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public transportation systems to accommodate population growth and enhance connectivity within the state will be essential.
4. **Healthcare**: Improving access to affordable healthcare, especially in rural areas, addressing disparities in health outcomes, and navigating changes in healthcare policy.
5. **Climate Change Resilience**: Building resilience to the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise, increased flooding, and extreme weather events, will require proactive planning and investment in infrastructure and adaptation measures.
6. **Social Equity**: Addressing systemic inequalities related to race, income, and access to resources across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and criminal justice, is vital for fostering a more just and inclusive society.
7. **Environmental Conservation**: Balancing economic development with environmental conservation efforts, protecting natural resources, and mitigating the effects of pollution and development on ecosystems and biodiversity are ongoing challenges.
8. **Rural Development**: Supporting economic development and infrastructure improvements in rural areas, combating population decline, and ensuring access to essential services.
Because they make up everything!
Mac Deford, candidate for U.S. Congress
Direct Democracy: A ballot initiative process can empower citizens to directly participate in the democratic process by proposing and voting on specific policy measures, bypassing the legislature.
Addressing Issues: It provides a mechanism for addressing important issues that may not receive attention from elected officials or may face significant opposition within the legislative process.
Accountability: Elected officials may be more accountable to the will of the people if they know that certain issues could be decided directly by voters through initiatives.
- Cons**:
- Cons**:
Complexity: Crafting effective policy requires expertise and nuanced understanding of complex issues, which may be lacking among the general public. Ballot initiatives could result in poorly crafted or contradictory policies.
Special Interest Influence: Wealthy interest groups may have disproportionate influence in shaping ballot initiatives through funding campaigns, potentially skewing outcomes in favor of those with greater resources.
Gridlock and Polarization: Ballot initiatives can sometimes lead to gridlock and polarization if they result in conflicting policies or if they exacerbate divisions within society.
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
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate South Carolina House of Representatives District 124 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 10, 2024
