Voters in the 3rd and 4th Congressional Districts that cover the Upstate will find four strong candidates representing the Republican and Democratic parties. Candidates from the two major parties faithfully represent many of the key positions of their parties, while the two Democratic candidates also demonstrate varying degrees of independence and a commendable focus on reining in the explosive federal debt that threatens this nation’s future and is fueling much interest in congressional races across the country.
In these two congressional races that also feature some third-party candidates, The Greenville News recommends a vote for Trey Gowdy, the Republican, in the 4th Congressional District that covers Greenville, Spartanburg and Union counties and a part of Laurens County. The News recommends a vote for Jeff Duncan, the Republican, in the 3rd Congressional District that covers much of the western border of this state including Pickens, Oconee, Anderson, Laurens and Greenwood counties.
Fourth District: Trey Gowdy is an especially appealing candidate facing a Democrat who is a solid opponent. Gowdy comes to this Nov. 2 election with one of the most impressive primary victories in the country: He defeated six-term incumbent Bob Inglis by getting 71 percent of the votes in the June 22 runoff.
Gowdy has earned respect in his home county of Spartanburg and outside of its borders for his well-deserved reputation as a tough but fair prosecutor who made significant improvements in that office. He is a proven leader who already has been tested in an important office.
Gowdy’s Democratic opponent is by no means a lightweight. Paul Corden ran two years ago against Bob Inglis. Corden is a retired business executive also from Spartanburg and he is a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam. He is a faithful representative of many of the ideals and policy positions of the Democratic Party, and like Gowdy, he recognizes this country must get its fiscal house in order. Corden would allow the Bush-era tax cuts to expire on this country’s wealthiest citizens but is open to keeping them for a year or two on middle-class taxpayers.
On the issues, Gowdy shows signs of being a pragmatic leader who wants to reduce federal spending and put limits on the reach of the federal government. When confronted with spending issues, he said he would ask: Is it constitutional, as in something the federal government should be involved in? Is it sound public policy? Is it affordable? In light of today’s crippling federal debt, Gowdy said proposed federal spending could clear the first two hurdles and still not be affordable.
Gowdy also recognizes that some pain will be in store as needed reforms are implemented for the three entitlements that are “what’s bankrupting the country….” He’s stopped short of specific ideas but said it’s time for the conversation about matters such as raising the retirement age and possible means-testing for some of these programs.
The most promising attribute that Gowdy brings to this race is his fire-tested leadership in the prosecutor’s office that covers Spartanburg and Cherokee counties. He demonstrated his legal skills in the courtroom, but he did much more. He has been a leader in pushing for reform of the state’s laws regarding DUI and violence against women, and he has been at the forefront of the drug court movement. He is smart, creative and knows how to get things done.
