“A new South Carolina” — Johnson picks Charleston native Sam Skardon as running mate
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Democratic candidate for governor Representative Jermaine Johnson has selected Charleston native Sam Skardon as his running mate.
The pair were joined by loved ones and supporters at the State House for the special announcement Thursday morning — sharing their campaign for “A new South Carolina.”
Johnson and his wife, Dr. Evan Johnson, made their way down the State House steps, joined by Skardon and his wife Leslie.
The four were met by a number of political backers and a crowd of supporters — chanting “New S-C.”
“I am proud to introduce to you all the next lieutenant governor of South Carolina Sam Skardon. Y’all make some noise!” shouted Johnson.
“This election is truly about new South Carolina versus old South Carolina. The time has never been so critical, the opportunity has never ben so great for us to begin building a new South Carolina,” says Skardon.
Skardon currently leads the “Clean Energy Fund of the Carolinas” – which he says helps get capital into the hands of small business owners and marginalized communities overlooked by traditional banks.
“He helped people realize their hopes and their dreams, he helped people to get the access to changing generational curses, breaking generational curses. Helping people to reach their ultimate goals. That is who Sam is,” says Johnson.
While attending Georgetown University, Skardon served as a staffer for civil rights activist — the late U.S. Representative John Lewis. Skardon and his wife leslie have twin boys, named after Lewis and Reverend James Lawson.
Speaking to the crowd, Johnson and Skardon outlined their campaign for “a new South Carolina.” “A new South Carolina is a place we will all be proud of,” says Johnson.
They say the campaign will focus on support for rural communities, reforming state infrastructure, restoring women’s ‘rights, building a stronger and more affordable economy, and providing better childcare and education options.”
“We’re not a generation that accepts no as an answer, that accepts some structural reason why our kids have to go to bad schools or why we have to live in a state with a two-tiered economy where corporations are in rough shot over people. We need leadership, and that’s a fundamental difference in this race, that knows what we need to do and finds a way to get it done rather than accepting the old school reasons why it can’t,” says Skardon.
The duo will face off against Republican candidate for governor Alan Wilson, and his choice for lieutenant governor, Mike Reichenbach in the general election this November.
