PROSPERITY — Nearly 100 Newberry County Democrats gathered last week for dinner and an opportunity to meet candidates who will run for Newberry County public office in 2016.
Announcing for re-election were Sheriff Lee Foster, Coroner Craig Newton, Auditor Donna Lominack, and Treasurer Karen Lindler Smith. Clerk of Court Jackie Bowers has announced that she will not run for re-election, but Senior Deputy Clerk of Court Beth Folk has announced she will run for the position.
The guest speaker was State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-Orangeburg). Cobb-Hunter was introduced by State Rep. Walt McLeod, who has also announced that he will not run for re-election next year. McLeod described Cobb-Hunter as “a progressive legislator with a focus on the need for elected women leaders to move South Carolina forward.”
Cobb-Hunter praised Newberry County Democrats for “an open party, and a dinner meeting that looks like South Carolina” in its diversity and inclusively.
“It’s obvious that Newberry County Democrats have been successful in recruiting people from a wide variety of backgrounds,” she said. “Every time I come to a meeting here there’s a good crowd.”
Cobb-Hunter emphasized “the need for all citizens of South Carolina to have access to quality healthcare and education.”
She spoke warmly of McLeod, saying “Walt is highly respected and valued on both sides of the aisle in the Legislature.”
Newberry County Democrats will begin the 2016 election cycle with meetings planned for December and January. The South Carolina Democratic Party primary will be held Feb. 27 and the Newberry County Democratic Party convention will be held March 22 or March 24.
Last week’s meeting was held at the Back Porch Restaurant in Prosperity.