By Paul Gable
Just over a week ago, Autry Benton announced his withdrawal from a reelection effort for Conway City Council in order to run for the state Senate seat currently held by Luke Rankin.
The announcement surprised the public, but the reason for it was even more surprising. Benton is seeking office to actually try to make a difference and help the citizens rather than the self-seeking reasons most politicians bring to their campaigns.
Benton’s announcement said he heard from Conway citizens that they were generally happy with the condition of the city. The major complaint he heard while campaigning were “about infrastructure in general and roads in particular. Benton said the solution to road problems lies in Columbia with General Assembly appropriations.
“It’s time for the necessary improvements to Horry County infrastructure to stop being ignored in Columbia. It’s time for Horry County to get a consistently strong voice for its fair share of state budget funds for roads and infrastructure,” Benton said in his announcement.
Benton said he prayed for wisdom on which office to seek. The answer was to run for State Senate District 33.
At the end of his current term, Rankin will have been in the Senate for 32 years. During that time, major state road funding has gone to the Charleston, Columbia and Greenville areas while Horry County has been left to fund road projects with a local option sales tax (RIDE projects).
Benton’s message has already drawn support from local voters with comments like “If you’re for roads, you’ve got my vote.” It was noted by the recent RIDE IV Committee that Horry County is behind by approximately $4 billion in road building projects needed to serve the current population and the population is continually growing.
Rankin has had serious challenges from two different political neophytes in his last two elections. This time around, he will be facing a well-known, well-liked Benton who hails from a well-respected local family.
Speak Up…