Gavin J. Smith, Lexington Town Councilman
Too often in politics, candidates go to elections promising this or that, knowing full well that as soon as they win the election, and as soon as the attention dies down, none of what they promised to achieve will ever actually be achieved.
These types of politicians are scattered all over the Palmetto State, and frankly, they are what has made our country what it is today.
Fortunately for Lexington, our Senator, Katrina Seely, is far from a politician who is all talk and no action.
From the Lexington town limits to Batesburg-Reedsville and beyond, I can say with firsthand experience having worked with her as a Lexington Town Council member, and as someone who has known Katrina personally for many years, that Senator Katrina Seely is committed to Lexington.
In the time since we first met nearly 20 years ago and now working together, I am always inspired when I see Katrina interact with the communities she serves. Instead of talking at her constituents, she listens intently, asks insightful questions, and always proposes practical solutions.
Over the years, and especially since joining Town Council, I have seen the profound impact that Senator Seely’s work has had on our community.
As a State Senator, Katrina has worked tirelessly to advocate for law enforcement and first responders by securing funding for local departments, protecting the safety of officers and their families, and keeping criminals behind bars. Her unwavering support has not only enhanced public safety, it has also strengthened the trust between law enforcement and the community.
Katrina has worked tirelessly on behalf of children and families. She has passed bills to protect children at home, at school and online. Her bills to repeal sales taxes on necessities like baby formula and provide breakfast and lunch to all students reflect her deep commitment to the well-being of children. These measures ensure Lexington County families have the support they need to thrive, which is exactly why she is often referred to as the “Senator for Children.”
In addition to her work on law enforcement and child welfare, Senator Seely has also worked hard on taxpayers. She was instrumental in passing the largest tax cut in state history, $2 billion. She also worked to eliminate state income tax on veterans’ retirement benefits and introduced legislation to eliminate state income tax entirely. These efforts have provided significant financial relief to our residents and made South Carolina a more attractive place to live for families and businesses.
Senator Seely’s impactful work on infrastructure improvements is vital to our community. Rightly recognized by The State as “the Most Productive Congressman,” Senator Seely secured millions of dollars for local infrastructure improvements, including the widening and paving of Highway 1 from Lexington to Batesburg-Reidsville, a road that sometimes carries nearly 100,000 vehicles a day.
Through all of this, one of the most important aspects of Senator Seely’s job is working with local governments, and especially given my role on the Lexington City Council, the importance of having a State Senator who is an ally of local governments cannot be overstated.
From understanding the unique challenges and opportunities we face to bringing community stakeholders together to collaborate on how to create mutually beneficial solutions, she is always willing to listen to our concerns, represent our needs, and work with us to make things happen.
Senator Seely’s support has been extremely helpful in helping us achieve our goals and improve the quality of life for our residents, and I am truly grateful to have a Senator who interacts directly with residents at festivals, grand openings, Town Council meetings, etc. Simply put, if there’s an event happening in the community, there’s a good chance Senator Seely will be there.
With the Republican Primary Election taking place next Tuesday, June 11, 2024, it is important that we in Lexington continue to support leaders like Senator Seely who have a proven track record of positively impacting our community.
Katrina’s dedication, compassion and tireless work have made Lexington a better place for all of us, and it is vital for our city and the entire Lexington community that we re-elect such a valued partner.
Next Tuesday, June 11th, we, the residents of Lexington, will face the ballot box and have to make a choice. Will we support Senator Katrina Seely, who has a proven track record for Lexington, or will we succumb to petty partisan politics and elect yet another all-talk, no-action politician who does little for the people?
I will be supporting Katrina and I hope you will join me in doing so.
