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?
Robert Alan McFadden, Sr.
Where are you from? Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the Silver community, right here in Clarendon County
Tell me about your family.
All of my children are adults now, out in the world. My father was a farmer in the Silver community, that’s where I grew up. I lived here, went to college, travelled the world, and came back home.
Where do you work currently?
I am self-employed. I do part-time work in life and health insurance
What is your highest level of education?
Currently, I have a masters degree. I have a business MA in business leadership out of georgia, and did my undergraduate at the University of South Carolina.
What church do you attend?
I attend the Friendshipe AME church.
What party do you represent?
I represent the Democratic Party.
Do you have any prior political experience? If so, when and where have you served?
I have ran for different offices several times.
What clubs, boards, and organizations have you been involved with?
I was the president of the Clarendon County NAACP.
I am currently the Scott’s Branch Alumni Association President.
I am currently the president of the Summerton Community Action Group.
Within these groups we have erected parks, monuments, and museums for the Briggs V. Elliot case. We don’t have anything locally to recognize those events so we formed the Summerton Community Action Group to do just that. All of these things were made possible with grants that we applied for from the state.
What made you want to run for this position?
Lack of things that I’ve seen with previous leaders in that position. I don’t see any growth, I don’t see aggressiveness to grow our community educationally, economically, or infra-structurally. I don’t see any transparency in what they are doing.
What makes you the strongest candidate?
I have the experience, the background, and the leadership abilities. I am a former US Army Combat Arms officer, so I have leadership skills. I have corporate experience from some of the largest corporations in the world. These include Ford Motors, Nissan, and Pepsi. These things make me the best candidate. I can speak up for what we need to do to move our district forward.
What are some of your hobbies? Tell us some interesting facts about yourself so that the citizens may get to know you better?
I have been golfing for most of my life. I really enjoy helping in the community as well, acting as a voice for the voiceless. I also read, and do a little bit of writing.
Finally, what are citizens getting when they vote for you?
They are getting the real deal. They are getting someone who really cares about the community. They are getting someone who is unbiased, who will look at things that need to be done with participation and transparency. They will get information that typically has been unexposed.
