GREENWOOD INDEX-JOURNAL:
For the last eight years, U.S.Rep. Gresham Barrett has represented residents of the Third Congressional District.
That’s about to change.
In two days, residents in the 10-county district will get a chance to decide who their next representative will be. Republican Jeff Duncan, a state representative, and Democrat Jane Dyer, an Air Force veteran, are vying to replace Barrett, who did not seek re-election to the Third District seat as he ran for governor. Constitution Party candidate John Dalen’s name will also appear on the ballot.
Duncan and Dyer have conducted long, aggressive campaigns and have been mainstays in the Lakelands area for nearly two years. Duncan said he is ready for Tuesday to arrive.
“We’ve spent 20 months in 10 counties, really getting to know the voters and trying to understand what their concerns are about their government,” Duncan said. “I think that our message to the voters has been very well received.”
Duncan said his 20-month campaign has shown him there is great diversity in the district. He noted there are distinct differences between Oconee and Pickens counties, for instance, as well as differences between counties in the middle of the district, like Greenwood, compared to counties in the lower end of the district, like Aiken.
Dyer said, if she is able to win the election, it will send reverberations across the nation.
“I do know that if we win it will be the greatest statement for democracy in America,” Dyer said. “Because we will have won because we met people face to face. We said, ‘These are our concerns, this is what we want to go work for in Washington and we need your help.’ If we get enough votes to make that clear, it will be great for us.”
As she has done throughout her campaign, Dyer hammered home her message about job creation. “I think a great thing is the legislation from South Carolina that will allow people to get low interest loans through their rural co-ops to make their homes more energy efficient,” Dyer said. “Then, you’ve got to hire local people to do the work, and you’ll pay it back with savings in payments on your energy bill. That’s a great win-win for everybody and puts local people to work right away.”
Dyer also noted the recently passed small business bill will allow small businesses to borrow money. She said the bill also features solid depreciation and investment incentives.
Meanwhile, Duncan said it is up to private businesspeople to create jobs in America.
“Most people I talk to don’t expect the government to get us out of the recession,” Duncan said. “They understand the private sector creates jobs, and the government seems to hamstring that job creation with the uncertainty they are creating, whether it is the passage of Obamacare or the threat of taxes and utility rates going up with cap-and-trade. There is just so much uncertainty about what government is going to do that businesses are just holding back.
“I think, on Nov. 2, they will see a big sigh of relief that Republicans are going to win a majority in the Congress, and there may be a chance for us to get government out of the way.”
By Chris Trainor, reporter
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