Letter to the editor: Evette fights for veterans and military families

As a retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant who served our nation for 20 years, including at Shaw Air Force Base right here in Sumter County, I've experienced the reality of military service and the transition back to civilian life. I know firsthand that the mission doesn't end when you hang up the uniform.

For veterans and military families, the real work often begins at home - securing stable employment, accessing hard-earned benefits without endless red tape and building a secure future for our families. That experience drives everything I do in the Senate, especially on the Family and Veterans' Services Committee, and it's exactly why I'm proud to endorse and support Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette for governor.

Under Gov. Henry McMaster and Lt. Gov. Evette's leadership, our state has become the most military-friendly state in the country. They elevated the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs to a cabinet-level agency, making it more effective and responsive. They eliminated the state income tax on military retirement pay, putting real money back into the pockets of those who've already given so much. They guaranteed in-state tuition for veterans and their families using GI Bill benefits. They expanded veteran treatment courts and strengthened employment opportunities. These aren't just talking points. They're proven results that honor our sacrifices and make South Carolina a place where veterans thrive.

Pamela Evette has been a steady, proven partner in delivering these wins. She understands that supporting veterans isn't about grand gestures; it's about consistent action and cutting through bureaucracy so every veteran gets the resources and support they've earned. But she knows we can't stop there. Pamela has a clear vision to keep South Carolina the most military- and veteran-friendly state in the country.

She'll build on our progress by expanding workforce training and job placement programs tailored for veterans, helping us transition swiftly into high-demand, well-paying careers here at home. She'll continue reducing the tax burden on military families and retirees. And she'll prioritize streamlining access to benefits, ensuring no one waits months or years for what's rightfully theirs.

As a veteran, I judge leaders by their track record, not their rhetoric. Pamela Evette has discipline, grit and a genuine heart for service. Her business background equips her to grow our economy, attract jobs and support small businesses, creating the opportunities veterans need to succeed after service. A strong economy isn't separate from veteran support; it's essential to it. When South Carolina prospers, our military families can put down roots, raise their kids and build lasting security.

Our veteran community in South Carolina is strong and growing. We have a duty to meet that growth with leadership that's serious, proven and laser-focused on results, not empty promises or political posturing. Pamela Evette has delivered for us before, and she has a solid plan to do even more. That's why, as a veteran, a father and a South Carolinian, I'm proud to stand with Pamela Evette for governor. She'll continue fighting every day for the veterans and military families in South Carolina.

JEFF ZELL

Senator, South Carolina District 36

Sumter