Secretary of State (D) candidate Q&A: Edwina Winter

EDWINA WINTER

Why are you running?

I am running for a number of reasons. I was triggered to run when the Trump administration signed the EO to re-evaluate all naturalized citizens. As an immigrant and someone who became a citizen in 2018, I was horrified and afraid. South Carolina is my home. I have made community and a life here and didn't want to be driven away. So, I decided to stay and fight and run for office. I decided I was most qualified to be secretary of state. After researching the office, it became apparent that after 24 years of Republican incumbency, it is a much-neglected office that could be doing so much more to improve the lives of South Carolinians. At that point, I was even more motivated to run, as I know I have the expertise and drive to do the work.

Have you run for political office before? If so, explain:

No.

Where and how long have you lived in South Carolina?

I live in Irmo and have lived in S.C. for nearly 14 years.

Current job/profession:

Nonprofit founder, real estate agent

What makes you qualified for the seat?

I have 38 years of business experience, often in highly regulated industries, so I understand the way that business works and what is necessary to help it work better. I understand the need for transparency and accountability in business operations. My business experience is global. I have worked in the UK, Europe, U.S., China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. Therefore, I can be very objective in my view of what works and what doesn't and apply it in office. In addition to that experience, I am also a small business owner in South Carolina, so I understand the challenges of setting up and running a business in South Carolina and ways to improve it. On top of that, I have also founded a faith-based nonprofit in the state and am also a notary. That means I have touched every aspect that the secretary of state office is responsible for. I am a hard worker and know that I have the experience, aptitude and attitude for the office as well as an abiding love for my home state.

What challenges/concerns do you see in South Carolina (up to 3), especially relating to Sumter and the Midlands, and how do you intend to improve them?

There are many challenges and concerns. Decline in manufacturing, small industrial and business base, aging population, loss of rural health care, many people living below the poverty line.

As secretary of state, I would work to support the formation of small businesses and nonprofits. These are the engine of economic growth. They create and sustain community, bring stability, create generational wealth, allow children to go to college and allow families to buy homes. They also attract other businesses, which builds on their success. Increasing economic activity helps preserve health care options and attracts infrastructure and diversifies the economic base. I would set up Secretary of State offices and portals in local libraries, make the office a one-stop shop for setting up businesses, connect small businesses with grants and resources.

What successes have you seen that you want to build on?

I have seen that the current secretary of state has made some efforts to warn the public about scams and fraud. I would improve on this particularly for our seniors by increasing visibility of the companies and nonprofits that operate in the state, publicizing bad actors and increasing education.

Are you actively involved in your community? How so?

I am very active in my community. My nonprofit is actively engaged in the community trying to help people create community through Celtic Spirituality. I also sing in a church choir. I play flute for a group that plays in senior living communities and memory care units. I have been a poll manager since the 2020 elections. I am secretary of a local animal rescue. I teach at three Shepherd Centers for older adults as a volunteer and am VP of the Shepherd Center of St. Andrews. I am also a ballroom dancer.