This year, Dr. Robert “Bobby” Ridgeway stepped down from the District 64 SC House of Representatives seat. Five candidates have since filed to run against each other for this office. Those five candidates, John “Jack” Furse, Kimberly Johnson, Robert McFadden, William “Hal” Cercopely, and Cynthia Risher, all sat down for an Editor’s Office Interview in support of their campaign.
What is your name?
John Louden Furse, but I’ve always gone by Jack.
Where are you from? Where did you grow up?
I was blessed to grow up in Manning, South Carolina.
Tell me about your family.
I am married to Lisa Crabbe Furse. My parents are Bill and the late Judy Furse. My grandparents, Jack and Mary Alice Hoyt, and English Chitwood Furse all live in Clarendon County and are active in a variety of different organizations. My family has been a part of this community for five generations and has been deeply involved throughout that time.
Where do you work currently?
I currently work as an attorney for the Kent Law Firm, which is located in downtown Manning. I represent individuals who have been charged with criminal offenses; who have been injured; or who are going through some other difficult problem that requires legal assistance. I am proud to represent the citizens of Clarendon County everyday at work.
What is your highest level of education?
I attended Clemson University, where I received a Bachelors of Arts degree in History. After finishing Clemson, I went to law school at the University of South Carolina School of Law where I received my Juris Doctorate.
What church do you attend?
I am a lifelong and active member ofthe Presbyterian Church at Manning.
What party do you represent?
I am a member of the Democratic Party.
Do you have any prior political experience? If so, when and where have you served?
While I have always followed politics and been involved in my community, I have never served in public office.
What clubs, boards, and organizations have you been involved with?
I am currently an active member of South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, South Carolina Young Lawyers Division, and the South Carolina Bar Association. In law school, I was active in Law Democrats, and the Student Bar Association. I am a member of Ducks Unlimited South Carolina Waterfowl Association.
What made you want to run for this position?
Clarendon County is not just where I’m from, I consider it to be a part of who I am. I’m very passionate about our community and our citizens and I want to my part in helping every person who lives here to be just a little bit better off. As a small, rural county we are often not allowed onto the negotiating table in Columbia. I want to change that. I want to help our educators get the resources they desperately need to succeed. I want to go to work for our vulnerable citizens and make sure they have the access to healthcare that they need through expanded Medicare. Finally, I want to make sure that we are doing all that we can to bring real economic opportunity to our area so that our best and brightest have the opportunity to remain in our community and do not have to leave in search for a high paying job. In short, I want to run to ensure our citizens have access to the resources that they need to succeed and to also help nurture growth in our community’s economy.
What makes you the strongest candidate?
I believe I am the strongest candidate because of my passion for our community, my educational background and my experience practicing as an attorney. As an attorney, I have a unique skill set that will allow me to be persuasive, a skilled negotiator, and to have a real understanding of how laws will impact our citizens when enacted. I will use these skills to fight for an agenda that prioritizes our community’s needs.
What are some of your hobbies? Tell us some interesting facts about yourself so that the citizens may get to know you better.
When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my wife Lisa, relaxing on my family farm in Summerton, watching Clemson football, spending time on Lake Marion and going to concerts. As far as an interesting fact: prior to going into private practice I was a criminal prosecutor for two years in Aiken County. Other interesting fact, one time while playing little league baseball at JC Brittain park, I made three errors on one single play. My dad said he’d never seen that done before.
Finally, what are citizens getting when they vote for you?
First and foremost, they are getting a dedicated public servant for every person in district 64. If given the opportunity to serve, I am committed to answering my constituents phone calls and helping them solve their problems. That’s what I do for a living; I solve problems. I believe that to be an essential duty of this office and it is something I will take very seriously. Secondly, citizens will be getting a passionate leader who will fight to ensure that their voices are heard in our State Government. I’m young, energetic and have no other aspirations, but to make sure the people of Clarendon County are receiving the respect and attention we deserve in Columbia.
