Chip Stockman, who is running for John Drummond’s
District 10 S.C. Senate seat, spoke to Abbeville residents
Monday at The Dutch Oven. (Staff
photo by Jennifer Colton)
ABBEVILLE -- “Not politics as usual” formed the refrain to Chip Stockman’s campaign stop Monday at The Dutch Oven.
A
Greenwood native, Abner Pierce “Chip” Stockman III is running for the S.C. Senate in District 10, taking on a slew of other candidates for
the seat John Drummond will vacate this year after more than 40 years.
Other candidates include Greenwood County Councilman Dee Compton, Greenwood
Mayor Floyd Nicholson, chiropractor Norman Ouzts Jr., author Dale Phillips and auctioneer Bryan Hope.
In his campaign kickoff, Stockman made the Abbeville stop with his wife of 22 years, Lorraine, also hitting locations in Cross Hill and
Greenwood the same day.“I’ve done competitive sports before, but when you’re playing in a game, it’s over in an hour. When you’re running for political
office, it’s 24/7,” he said. “I know what we’re trying to do, but to be so active in something all day for so long, it’s different.”
As president and CEO of Stockman Oil, the candidate said he understands the ins and outs of business and will take that experience into the political arena.
“I
just feel that we need to have business people in the legislature in Columbia,” he said. “My idea is not to go to Columbia with a list of
things I want to do, but I think we have to realize that every decision we make in Columbia affects the businesses and the people of this
district. ... I don’t believe that (lawmakers) carry the same knowledge of how regulations affect everyday business. They don’t fully
understand the ramifications down the line.”
Stockman said he would work to bring new employers into Greenwood and to support economic development, tourism and health care. He also mentioned
helping to keep education funds spent in the classroom, not on red tape, and helping government live within its means, just like a home or
business. But, he added, he isn’t a career politician.
“The Lakelands area is my home. I have no desire to go to Columbia and live;
this is not a stepping stone,” he said. “What I’ve tried to do is be involved with the community. There’s no badge that comes with what I
do. I just see a need and I volunteer.
“I’m interested in serving my community, and my background shows that.”
Some
of that background includes serving as chairman of the Bowers-Rogers Home for children, serving as member of Emerald City Rotary Club and
the Greenwood Chamber, and being an Eagle Scout leader for 21 years.
“I’ve never run for anything before. This is a new thing for me, but because of that, I’m very aware that when I answer questions, the listener is
going to think, 'That’s what I’d expect a politician to say,’” he said. “That’s why I’d rather let others talk about me. It’s one thing when
you talk about tasking yourself with this and thinking you can do something.
“It’s totally different when other people look at you and say, 'I think you can do it, too.'"
Reprinted with permission of the Index-Journal
