Katie Arrington to enter race to represent S.C.'s First Congressional District

Conservative Republican businesswoman, defense contractor, South Carolina State Representative, and military mom Katie Arrington has announced her bid for the U.S. Congress seat currently held by Rep. Mark Sanford (R).

Declaring that Sanford is “more focused on getting himself on CNN than he is focused on the needs and concerns of our region,” Arrington made her official campaign announcement last week at Coastal Coffee Roasters in Summerville.

“We need a new voice, a stronger voice,” she said. Arrington was joined at the event by several South Carolina conservative Republican leaders, including Speaker of the House Rep. Jay Lucas; Majority Leader of the South Carolina House Rep. Gary Simrill; and Rep. Lin Bennett, former South Carolina Republican Party First Vice Chair and former Charleston County Republican Party Chair.

Positioning herself as a strong supporter of the military, and noting that both her daughter and son-in-law are currently serving in the armed forces, Arrington pledged to always stand behind “our troops in uniform.”

“I will ensure our veterans who sacrificed for our freedoms and our senior citizens who built this great nation we have today will always be a priority,” she stated.

Additionally, Arrington touted her experience as a small businesswoman as an important qualification for the job. Referencing once again the incumbent currently in office, Arrington stressed that she is running “to make South Carolina and her people the priority, not a political career” and promised to fight and stand with President Donald Trump when it comes to pushing conservative reforms.

“I am not running for Congress for the money, for the title, for the prestige, and certainly not to get facetime on CNN. I don’t need a job. I want to serve our community. My goal in life is not national fame - or again to bash the President. That’s not what we want in our member of Congress. That’s what’s called ‘going Washington.’”

Arrington also promised to not back down when it comes to representing the people of Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, Colleton and Beaufort Counties.

“When my life took some difficult turns and I was living paycheck to paycheck, working multiple jobs - I kept fighting to provide for my family. When the doctor told me that my son had special needs shortly after birth, I kept my faith and fought to do whatever it took to keep my son safe and happy. When the establishment did all they could to defeat me in my state legislature race, I fought back and won…I want to be a Member of Congress you can be proud of. My goal is to fight for South Carolina and her people.”

Arrington has lived in Summerville for the past 20 years and was elected to the S.C. General Assembly in 2016. For more information on Arrington’s campaign, visit www.VoteKatieArrington.com.

When asked to comment on Arrington’s statements, Rep. Sanford said through a spokesperson only that he “looks forward to the contest of ideas” that will be expressed during the campaign for the First Congressional District seat.

Also taking part in the race for Sanford’s seat is Democrat Joe Cunningham, who announced his intentions to run in July. The official filing period begins in March of 2018, followed by a Primary in June and the election in November.