U.S. House District 3 Frances Guldner
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
1. What makes you the best candidate in a crowded field running for this office?
I am passionate about the issues that affect South Carolinians in this largely rural district. SC District 3 deserves to be represented by someone that understands how national decisions affect their everyday lives. I have a lifetime of experience and success in committee work. I have been teaching for over twenty years, started and worked with non-profits, started and ran an online business, worked in mediation and group facilitation, and have traveled the world as the daughter of an army officer. I also have a master’s degree in economics and policy and a bachelor’s degree in science. I have the passion and ability to serve this district.
2. How would you evaluate the job Jeff Duncan did in this position?
Most people in this district never met Jeff Duncan and have no idea what he even looks like. He took no initiative to meet the people of his district, much less understand their lives and the issues they confront. He also did remarkably little during his tenure in congress. He earned his nickname, Do Nothing Duncan.
3. Is there anything you will do differently that you consider a more effective path to serving the Third district?
I intend to serve this district by knowing the people in the district. I will be at every possible bbq, fish fry, festival and gathering this district holds and I will knock on doors to meet with as many constituents as possible. You can't represent people you don't know, and I will get to know the people of this district.
4. What are the three most pressing issues for this district and how would you address each?
One of the most pressing issues in this rural district is healthcare access. While corporate hospital systems have provided more services in some areas, services in rural areas have been cut, primarily labor and delivery. Citizens in this district should not have to drive over an hour to get the services they need. We must require these corporations to retain services in our much-needed counties.
Another issue is individual healthcare. There are over 4 mil people in this state without health insurance. In the short term, Medicare should be expanded and holes in the ACA plugged because too many people have fallen in the cracks made by the "repeal/replace" fantasists. In the long term we need to work toward Medicare for everyone and get the burden of health insurance off the backs of businesses.
A Third issue is the ever-growing income gap. In an effort to kick start "trickle down" economics, Reagan did away with progressive tax rates for the wealthy. As a result of this corporate leaders were able to reap benefits at the expense of the employees. The incomes at the top have risen at a huge rate while those of us in the lower 90% have seen little to no increases. We need to tax the wealthy and corporations and limit deductions. Noone should be working hard all week and not be able to afford a home, transportation and food.
5. What are the three most pressing issues facing the U.S. House of Representatives moving into 2025?
One of the issues currently facing the House of Representatives is their inability to accomplish anything. GOP opposition to bills they even helped create is causing the entire governing process to stall. Congress needs to do their jobs so others in the country can do theirs.
Another issue facing congress is the need for comprehensive immigration reform. The path to citizenship needs to be streamlined and faster, the "dreamers" need a way to be citizens, immigrants need temporary work visas so they can contribute to their communities while they wait to be processed, and the border patrol needs the funds they have asked for so they can do their jobs.
A third issue facing congress is the need to codify abortion as a medical procedure for a woman's physical, mental and fiscal health. It, like all other medical procedures, is between the patient and her doctor. Insurance companies and the government have no right to get between a woman and her doctor.
6. What is your philosophy of working with other elected representatives, some of whom may have different viewpoints?
It is important to have strong beliefs and convictions and to argue them passionately. At the end of the day, it is time for negotiations and consensus. Without the ability to negotiate effectively and arrive at a consensus, congress stops working, Congress holds the purse strings and initiates legislation, when congress stops working then government stops working. It is vital that we all reach across the aisle and find consensus and I will be there reaching out my hand to the other side.