Transit Questions for 1st. and 6th. US SC Congressional Districts 2022 Primary

Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit will request answers to these seven questions about public transit and affordable housing from the candidates for US House of Representatives, 1st. and 6th. Districts, SC. 

View the Response of Candidates

You can now view our spreadsheet on how the candidates have responded to our request for the answers set out below and which of them have taken a bus ride with us. You can call or email their campaigns to emphasize the importance of transit in your voting decision. We don't endorse candidates, so the final decision is up to you. 

Image, Right, Former Congressman Mark Sanford is presented with the Community Commitment to Transit which he did not sign.

We will publish the answers received and whatever other information we’re able to obtain from candidates running in both the Republican and Democratic Primaries for US House on Right to Ride Day, May 4. The primary is in June. You can vote in only one primary. As a 501c3 we do not endorse candidates and leave you with the responsibility of choosing who to vote for. Please inform us of anything you learn attending forums or town halls. Record video if you can. Information on how to contact and support us can be found at the bottom of this page.

Definitions: LCRT means Lowcountry Rapid Transit System, a bus rapid transit system consisting of buses traveling in dedicated lanes and mixed traffic as originally proposed in the I26 Alt study of 2015 and subsequently modified by the Berkeley Charleston Dorchester Council of Governments; Support means to actively work to encourage public support for, obtain approval of and obtain funding for a project or proposal before and during the term of office you see election to. 

Questions for Congressional Candidates

1. Do you support the use of Federal Funds to support operation and improvement of public transit facilities in the SC Lowcountry, both the LCRT and regular bus service? Yes Both, No, LCRT Only, regular transit service only. 
2. Do you support the use of Federal Funds for road construction? Yes, No, Do not wish to answer
3. Do you support construction of the Lowcountry Rapid Transit system and if elected will you work to see that federal funds are made available to support completion of the project? Yes, No, Do not wish to Answer
4. Do you support the current plan for an LCRT line which ends at the Fairgrounds on Highway 78 or do would you support returning to the original 2015 I26 Alt plan for a line which runs all the way to Summerville? Yes, No, Do not wish to answer
5. Do you support extending the LCRT System up Highway 52 to Goose Creek from the current junction in the line at Highway 78 and Rivers Ave? Yes, No, Do not wish to answer.
6. Do you support a requirement that any roads built with federal funds be designed and built as complete streets which accommodate pedestrians, cars, bicycles and transit riders as appropriate? Yes, No, Do not wish to answer. 
7. Do you support construction of affordable housing with Federal financial support in areas served by public transit? Yes, No, Do Not wish to answer. 

A printable, PDF Ballot for these responses that you can present to the candidates can be downloaded now.  

You are free to provide other information on public transit and any policies or positions you have regarding it which we will attempt to disseminate with our voter’s guide, possibly online. However, unless our questions are answered, no additional material will be disseminated and refused to answer will be entered as your response. We will disseminate our voter’s guide in person to over 5000 families in Summerville, Goose Creek, Lincolnville, N. Charleston, Charleston, the sea islands, Mt. Pleasant and other locations in person in the month before the primary. It will also be sent to the press and distributed online. 

Support and Contact Us

• You can support our continuing efforts for better transit by making a contribution online on Act Blue
• You can reach us by emailing executive director William Hamilton at wjhamilton29464@gmail.com or by calling 843-870-5299.