The Manning Times invited candidates in local and state races to participate in a question-and-answer feature addressing their backgrounds, qualifications, priorities and positions on issues affecting our communities.
Candidates seeking the same office received identical questions, allowing readers to compare their responses on the same topics. Questions were tailored to the responsibilities of each office, with some addressing recent developments covered by The Manning Times. The Q&As are organized by race, with candidates listed alphabetically by last name within each race.
Candidates were asked to limit their responses to approximately 100 to 150 words per question and were offered the option of participating through a phone or in-person interview. Candidates seeking the same office received identical response guidelines. Answers are published as submitted, with only minor edits for grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity, space and AP style. Response lengths vary according to the information provided by each candidate.
All candidates were given the same deadline to participate, which was subsequently extended to 10 p.m. Oct. 19 to allow additional time for responses.
Pat Coker (R), incumbent
Tell voters about yourself, including your background, professional experience, community involvement and what motivated you to seek or continue serving on Clarendon County Council. What experience would you bring to representing District 3?
I am a lifelong resident of Clarendon County, a farmer and a local business owner for over 25 years. I own and operate a used car lot, tire shop and wrecker service. These experiences have taught me the importance of hard work, financial responsibility and understanding the challenges facing our community.
For the past four years, I have had the privilege of representing District 3 on Clarendon County Council. I originally ran because I wanted to help our community, create more opportunities and make Clarendon County a better place for everyone.
During my time on council, I have worked on issues involving infrastructure, economic development and preserving our county's history. My experience in business, agriculture and public service has given me a practical understanding of our county's needs. Clarendon County is my home, and I remain committed to its future.
What values or principles led you to affiliate with your political party? Are there positions within your party's platform that you disagree with or would approach differently? If so, what are they, and how would you handle situations in which your party's position conflicts with what you believe is best for Clarendon County residents?
Although I am a Republican, I believe my responsibility as a County Council member is to represent the people of Clarendon County, regardless of political affiliation. My decisions should be based on what is best for our county and its residents, not simply on party lines.
One of my main priorities is finding ways to lower taxes and reduce unnecessary government spending while maintaining the essential services our citizens depend on. As a business owner and farmer, I understand the importance of managing expenses and making responsible financial decisions.
I believe every issue deserves careful consideration, an open mind and a willingness to listen to different viewpoints. At the end of the day, my goal is to make decisions that benefit Clarendon County as a whole, regardless of which political party supports them.
What do you consider the three most pressing needs facing District 3 residents, and what specific steps would you take as a council member to address them?
Two of my biggest priorities for District 3 are improving our roads and reducing the tax burden on our residents. As someone who has lived in Clarendon County my entire life, I understand how important safe, well-maintained roads are to our families, farmers and local businesses.
I believe we must continue working to address road conditions, improve drainage where needed and make sure District 3 receives fair consideration when infrastructure funding decisions are made.
I also recognize the financial challenges facing hardworking families, retirees, farmers and small business owners. I believe county government should carefully evaluate spending, eliminate unnecessary expenses and look for opportunities to lower taxes without sacrificing essential services.
My goal is to see our tax dollars used responsibly while making meaningful improvements that benefit our community and Clarendon County as a whole.
Clarendon County Council approved a roughly $45.8 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27, including employee raises and a slight reduction in millage. What do you believe the county is spending too much or too little on, and what specific changes, if any, would you make to the budget or the process used to develop it?
I believe one of the most important responsibilities of County Council is making sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and responsibly. As a business owner for over 25 years, I understand the importance of managing a budget, controlling expenses and making financial decisions that provide long-term value.
My priority is to carefully review county spending, question unnecessary expenses and make sure our tax dollars are being used where they are needed most. I believe we should continually look for ways to operate more efficiently while maintaining essential services such as public safety, road maintenance and infrastructure.
I also recognize the financial burden taxes place on families, farmers, retirees and small business owners. I want to continue working toward lowering that burden while ensuring Clarendon County remains financially stable and prepared for the future.
County Council recently approved a six-month moratorium on most new data center and battery energy storage system applications, with exceptions for certain industrially zoned properties. What regulations or safeguards do you believe the county should establish before considering additional projects, and how would you weigh potential economic benefits against concerns about infrastructure, public safety and neighboring properties?
I am not automatically for or against data centers or battery storage facilities. My responsibility is to consider how these projects affect Clarendon County residents, including public safety, infrastructure, neighboring properties and taxpayers.
I played an active role in advancing the moratorium because I believe the county needs time to establish appropriate regulations and safeguards before additional projects move forward.
The proposed project in the existing industrial park presented a different situation because, under the applicable rules, council did not have the authority to stop it. I understand residents' concerns and believe they deserve clear information about these decisions.
Economic development is important, but every proposal should be evaluated carefully, including its benefits, costs and potential impact on surrounding communities. My priority is protecting our residents' interests while ensuring future development is considered responsibly and within the county's legal authority.
Clarendon County's law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical services and coroner's office serve residents across a large rural area. What do you see as the greatest challenges facing these services, and what steps would you support to improve response capabilities, staffing and access to emergency assistance throughout the county?
I believe protecting the safety and well-being of our residents is one of the most important responsibilities of county government. Our law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and other first responders provide essential services to Clarendon County, and they deserve the resources, equipment and support necessary to perform their jobs safely and effectively.
At the same time, I believe we must be responsible with taxpayer dollars. Every funding decision should be carefully evaluated to ensure we are meeting the needs of our emergency services while maintaining a financially responsible budget.
I also believe it is important to listen to the men and women working on the front lines to better understand their needs and challenges. My priority is to support reliable emergency services throughout Clarendon County while continuing to look for ways to operate efficiently and reduce the financial burden on taxpayers.
County Council has moved forward with major facility projects and a vehicle replacement program intended to address aging county equipment. How would you determine which infrastructure, facility and equipment needs deserve priority, and how would you evaluate whether those investments are providing value to taxpayers?
Improving our roads and infrastructure is one of my top priorities for Clarendon County. As a lifelong resident, business owner and farmer, I understand firsthand how important safe, dependable roads and proper drainage are to our families, businesses and agricultural community.
I believe we must continue identifying roads that need attention, prioritizing necessary repairs and working with the appropriate state and local agencies to secure funding for improvements. Rural communities should receive fair consideration when decisions are made about infrastructure projects and funding.
I also believe we must be responsible with taxpayer dollars by planning carefully, maintaining existing infrastructure and making improvements that provide long-term value.
My goal is to see continued progress in road conditions and drainage throughout District 3 and Clarendon County while keeping taxes as low as possible and ensuring our residents' needs remain a priority.
The Clarendon County Archives collection has been relocated temporarily while the county considers how to address the condition of its longtime facility. What do you believe should be the county's long-term responsibility for preserving the collection, maintaining public access and funding a permanent solution?
Preserving Clarendon County's history is important to me because our historical records tell the story of the people, families and communities that helped build our county. These records deserve to be protected and preserved for future generations.
During my time on County Council, I have been involved in discussions and efforts to find a solution for the Clarendon County Archives, including working with other elected officials to explore options for protecting the records and addressing the building's condition.
I believe our immediate priority should be ensuring these valuable records are safe from further damage while developing a financially responsible, long-term plan for the facility. We should explore available funding opportunities and carefully evaluate costs before making decisions.
Preserving our history and being responsible with taxpayer money should go hand in hand. I believe we can work toward accomplishing both.
County Council has faced questions about public access to financial information, the timing of development announcements and opportunities for residents to provide input before major decisions are made. What changes, if any, would you support to improve transparency, public participation and communication between council members and the communities they represent?
I believe transparency and accountability are essential responsibilities of county government. The citizens of Clarendon County deserve to know how their taxpayer dollars are being spent, why important decisions are being made and how those decisions affect their communities.
During my four years on County Council, I have recognized the importance of listening to residents and understanding their concerns. I believe every citizen deserves to be heard and treated with respect, whether we agree or disagree on a particular issue.
I also believe county officials should be willing to answer questions, explain spending decisions and remain accountable to the people they represent. Open communication helps build trust between local government and the community.
My goal is to continue supporting responsible spending, honest communication and decisions that reflect the needs of Clarendon County residents, not personal or political interests.
Clarendon County has a history of closely contested elections, with residents holding differing political views. What steps have you taken, or would you take, to bring people together across party lines? What issues do you believe residents can find common ground on, regardless of political affiliation, and how would you work to build consensus around solutions?
I believe Clarendon County is strongest when we work together, regardless of our political beliefs, backgrounds or differences of opinion. As a lifelong resident, business owner, farmer and County Council member, I understand that we may not always agree on every issue, but we all share a common interest in the future of our county.
I believe elected officials have a responsibility to listen, treat others with respect and make decisions based on what is best for the entire community rather than personal interests or political differences.
My focus has always been on helping our residents, creating opportunities, improving our roads and infrastructure, and making sure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.
At the end of the day, Clarendon County is home to all of us. I believe working together and keeping our community's needs first is how we make lasting progress.
