Independent Mail: 2008 Voter Guide
William E. (Bill) Sandifer III
House of Representatives
Partisan Party: Republican
Age: 63
Incumbent: Yes
Occupation: Own and manage real property and investments. Former Ownner/Operator of Seneca Mortuary.
Address: 112 Cardinal Drive
Seneca, South Carolina 29672
What this race means to voters:
House of Representatives District 2
CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Birthplace: Aiken, South Carolina
Family: Married, four children, four grandchildren
Religion: Methodist
Education/degrees: Graduate, Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.
Attended classes at Clemson University.
Civic Involvement: Past Pres.-Seneca Chamber of Commerce; Past Chairman and Board Member-Oconee Memorial Hospital; Past Chairman-Oconee United Way; Past Chairman-Oconee Unit, Salvation Army; Past Chairman-Fort Hill Natural Gas Authority; Member-Seneca Rotary Club; Member American Legion Post #120; Past Master- Seneca Masonic Lodge #185; Past Worthy Patron-Seneca Chapter #5, Order of the Eastern Star; Member-Hejaz Shrine Temple; Former Board Member- Hospice of the Foothills; Former Board Member-Clemson Area YMCA; Member-Keowee Chapter, Military Officers Assoc.; Member-Seneca Koffee Club; Member-Keep Oconee Beautiful Association; Member-Friends of Lake Keowee Society; Member-Patriot’s Hall Association; Former Member-Administrative Board, St. Mark United Methodist Church; Past Pres.-SC Funeral Directors Association.
Endorsements: ELECTED OFFICIALS: US Senator Lindsey Graham; US Congressman Gresham Barrett; SC Attorney General Henry McMaster; SC Treasurer Converse Chellis; SC Senator Thomas Alexander; SC Representative Bill Whitmire; Oconee County Sheriff James Singleton; Speaker of the SC House of Representatives – Bobby Harrrell; Chairman SC House of Representatives Ways & Means Committee – Dan Cooper; Chairman SC House of Representatives Labor Commerce & Industry Committee – Harry Cato; SC House of Representatives Majority Leader Jim Merrill.
ORGANIZATIONS: National Rifle Association; SC Chamber of Commerce; Charles Dalton, President of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative; SC Trucking Association; SC Healthcare Association; SC Manufacturers Alliance; SC Telephone Association; SC Hospitality Association.
Elected/appointed offices held: SC House of Representatives since 1994
Other Government services: Board of Directors – Fort Hill Natural Gas Authority
KEY ISSUES
Key Issue 1: My top priority will remain finding ways to keep taxes as low as possible. We must make sure the tax relief we fought so hard to make a reality last year stays in effect, and find new ways to reduce the overall tax burden even further. My greatest commitment is making sure hard-working families are able to keep more of their own money.
Key Issue 2: The Two “E”s: Education and Economic Development, both of which are important to allow our children and grandchildren the brightest future possible. We must continually strive to improve education as the information and technology revolution continues to increase knowledge required to compete in the global economy. The educational gains we have made in past decades are not enough; we’ve got to equip future generations with the tools they need to thrive in the new economy. And then, we must attract that new economy to our state, so that good, stable, high-paying jobs are available.
Key Issue 3: I will continue to work on common-sense reforms to make government more efficient, effective, and accountable. As Co-Chairman of the Reform Caucus, I am helping to push a “Blueprint for Reform” which includes a number of changes which will allow us to cut the cost of government.
Q&A
Why are you running for this office?
I have a great love for our state and our community, and I want to do my part to make sure we leave both better for the next generation than we found it. This is a great challenge, because we are facing numerous forces which would deteriorate our quality of life. My service is dedicated to protecting and preserving the quality of life we enjoy, and giving back to our community to help guarantee a better, brighter future for the families yet to come.
What are your best qualifications?
Listening. I try to listen to the people I serve. And I try to listen to ALL the people. If every elected official would simply listen to the public, most of our problems could be solved. That is why I use a number of communication methods including my website (www.billsandifer.com) and message center (864 885-2240). I make sure that these numbers and addresses are clearly published so that it is easy for citizens to contact me. Also, I try to be open-minded, which allows me to be one of the most experienced members of the House of Representatives, yet also be one of the leaders in pushing for needed reforms.
What is your No. 1 priority if elected?
For the last few months, I have been working with a bi-partisan group of Senators and House members to develop a Blueprint for Reform, and I serve as Co-Chairman of that informal Reform Caucus. I plan to devote much of my effort toward making those reforms a reality. Of course, I will continue to focus as much of my time and energy as possible on constituent service to help local citizens cut through red tape and solve problems with local, state or federal government.
If you are an incumbent, what are your accomplishments in office? If you are a challenger, what accomplishments can voters expect?
While there are too many to list, I’ll mention a couple of my favorites: In previous years, I helped pass two of the biggest tax reductions in state history, and have helped pass many, many various quality-of-life reforms, to improve our schools, protect our environment, and make our homes and families safer. This year, I have pushed for immigration reform and DUI reform, as well as passing a plan to help provide health insurance for employees of small businesses. But my biggest accomplishments, in my opinion, are the small, unseen occasions when I’ve been able to help single individuals or communities solve a constituent service problem… something as simple as making a call to help find a monthly check. These are my proudest accomplishments.
Why are you the best candidate?
First, my only interest is OUR community and the people of OUR community. I am, and always have been, an independent voice for the people, not any special interest groups or lobbying organizations. I am the only candidate for this office who was NOT recruited by a group representing Wall Street millionaires and special interest groups, and I’ll never be a puppet for such a group. Second, I have always run a positive campaign. I have never allowed any outside groups to engage in negative campaigning on my behalf. I am informed that recent push polls and negative mailings which were run against me may be just the beginning of what may be a negative, mudslinging campaign in the weeks to come. I will stay positive, because I believe it’s important for our elected officials to set the right example for our community and seek election based upon facts rather than distortions. Lastly, I have proven that I can be trusted. I have done so professionally, politically, and through years of service to our community.
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