South Carolina House of Representatives District 8 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in South Carolina, 2022

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On the ballot: U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Governor • State executive offices • State House • Special state legislative • State ballot measures • School boards

This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 8 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 8

Don Chapman defeated Ernest Mackins and Jackie Todd in the general election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 8 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Don Chapman (R)	73.1	9,267
		Ernest Mackins (D)	24.6	3,115
		Jackie Todd (Alliance Party)	2.1	260
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	31

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 12,673
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

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.

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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?

Don Chapman (R)

Public Safety - I will continue to be an advocate and champion for all those working in public safety at both local and state levels. Creating a safer environment for families and small businesses is my first priority. I have two brothers in law enforcement with 40 years experience combined. I also have countless friends and family members who serve their community as police officers, firefighters and with their EMS. I will stand with law enforcement in the SC House.

Business Experience - My personal experience of starting & managing two businesses for the past 28 years helped shape who I am today. It is the kind of hands-on experience I will take with me to the legislature. I also have a proven track record of asking tough questions in my previous roles of public service and I will continue to do so.

The Economy - The monumental impact small businesses have throughout Anderson and the upstate is simply incredible. Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. I will fight for South Carolina families and small businesses in Columbia. District 8 serves nearly 16 miles of Interstate 85 as well as the majority of interchanges leading to Anderson. It is a prime spot for growth because of our proximity between Atlanta, Greenville and Charlotte. We need to be smarter about how we build our infrastructure and work together to create a better economic environment with more better paying jobs.

Ernest Mackins (D)

Access to Health Care and Especially Women's Health Care

Teacher Retention and Returning to Safe Working Environments

Student Loan Forgiveness and Environmental Protections

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Don Chapman (R)

Education - I’m a proud graduate of Anderson School District 5. My brother and I rode the bus to school and there were a few years when we received free lunch. So… I understand firsthand that not everyone has the ability or means to send their children to private school. A good public education system is important, but strongly support more choices for parents.

Protecting the 2nd Amendment - I was raised in a military family and taught to respect the United States Constitution. I realize, appreciate and honor the sacrifices that have been made to protect our freedoms. I am a long-time gun owner and I will fight to protect our 2nd Amendment rights.

Lake Hartwell. - I will fight to protect and preserve the water quality of it 56,000 acres and 960 miles of shoreline. It is an incredible recreation opportunity featuring camping, fishing, swimming, and boating activities.

Ernest Mackins (D)

I am passionate about everyone having access to health care that are American citizens. I do not believe that health care should be tied to jobs where you may or may not have health insurance. Health care should not be a privilege, but it should be right for all American citizens. I am passionate about teachers and how we can retain teachers in the classroom. We need good teachers who are not run off by those who manage them. Instead, true leaders should seek to grow the teacher so that this growth can impact the student. I am passionate about student loan forgiveness because these students have attempted to make something of their lives. Yet they are shackled with debt because they can't find or get jobs that will compensate them for the cost of the degree. Something is wrong with this picture, especially when we can forgive businesses for billions of dollars of misappropriated funds. Yet, we can not help the most vulnerable of our generation trying to do right. It's time we became the America that we always talk about, but we can only do this if we work together. This means working for all the people in America.

See also

More about these elections:

• South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2022

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