Clarendon Votes is The Manning Times’ election coverage series designed to give residents a direct look at the candidates seeking local office through a consistent question-and-answer format.
This edition focuses on the Clarendon County Council District 2 special election, called following the death of Councilman W.J. Frierson. Voters will first participate in party primaries on March 10, with the special election scheduled for May 12.
The Manning Times sent the same 10 questions to all five candidates. Responses are printed as submitted, with only slight edits for grammar and clarity, and are published in alphabetical order by last name.
Because this is a party primary, voters must choose which party’s ballot to cast. Voters should refer to their voter registration cards to confirm their polling place. For questions, contact Clarendon County Voter Registration at 803-435-8215 or visit the office at 3 S. Church St. in Manning.
The Manning Times takes seriously its role in helping residents stay informed about local elections and encourages every eligible voter to make a plan to vote.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Share your background, family, occupation, community involvement and why you decided to run for Clarendon County Council.
My name is Matt Chapman, and I believe leadership begins with God first, a strong work ethic, and a deep respect for the people who make Clarendon County what it is. I am currently on the Farm Service Agency-Clarendon Committee, Treasurer for the Gideons-Clarendon Camp, and on several boards as a director.
I am a businessman and a farmer. I was born and raised with the understanding that you do not take more than you give, you protect what you have been entrusted with, and you always show up when the work needs to be done. Those values were not just taught to me, they were lived out in front of me. They shape how I live, how I work, how I raise my family, and how I lead.
My family and I are deeply rooted in this community. Like so many of you, we care about our churches, our schools, our farms, our small businesses, and the future our children will inherit. I have always believed that if you love where you live, you invest your time and effort into making it stronger.
Clarendon County deserves leadership that believes in investing in what matters most to our people. That means supporting local businesses, encouraging responsible growth, strengthening infrastructure that supports our future, and making decisions with common sense and genuine care for our community, not politics.
I am running because I believe local government should be fair, honest, transparent, and rooted in integrity. The County Council should listen to the people it serves, be accountable for its decisions, and never forget who it works for. This is not about titles or power. It is about stewardship. It is about protecting our way of life while making thoughtful, responsible decisions for the next generation.
This seat was left vacant following the death of Councilman Frierson.
What do you believe is the most important responsibility in stepping into a position that has recently lost a long-serving representative, and how would you work to maintain continuity for residents?
I would work to maintain continuity by listening, meeting with residents, reviewing ongoing projects, and making sure commitments already made are followed through. At the same time, I would bring fresh energy and a strong conservative approach focused on fiscal responsibility, transparency, and putting taxpayers first.
What specific issues or concerns have you heard most often from residents of your district during this campaign?
How would you address those concerns if elected?
The biggest concerns I have heard are rising costs of living, property taxes, infrastructure issues such as roads and drainage, and a desire for more transparency from the county government.
If elected, I will focus on protecting taxpayers, ensuring our infrastructure dollars are spent wisely, and improving communication between council and citizens. People want to know where their money is going. I believe in clear budgets, open discussions, and no surprises.
County Council plays a key role in setting the annual budget and millage.
What are your top funding priorities, and how would you balance the need for services with the tax burden on residents?
My top priorities are public safety, infrastructure, and essential services. Those are the core responsibilities of county government.
As a conservative Republican, I believe the government should live within its means just like families do. Before raising taxes, we must examine spending, eliminate waste, and prioritize needs over wants. I will fight to keep millage rates as low as possible while making sure we properly fund law enforcement, EMS, and road maintenance.
Fiscal discipline is how we protect working families.
Infrastructure and growth continue to be major topics across Clarendon County.
What is your position on managing growth while maintaining roads, water and sewer systems, and other essential services?
Growth can be a blessing if we manage it responsibly. We should welcome responsible development that strengthens our tax base and creates jobs. However, growth should never outpace infrastructure. That means planning ahead for roads, water, sewer, and public safety before approving major developments.
Smart growth protects property values, keeps traffic manageable, and ensures long time residents are not footing the bill for poor planning.
Economic development and job creation are ongoing goals for the county.
What strategies would you support to attract and retain businesses while ensuring opportunities for local residents?
We need to create an environment where businesses want to invest. That means low taxes, reasonable regulations, strong infrastructure, and a skilled workforce.
I support targeted economic development that brings quality jobs, not just short-term projects. We should work closely with our local schools and technical colleges to prepare our workforce so local residents are first in line for new jobs.
Small businesses deserve just as much attention as large companies. They are the backbone of Clarendon County.
Public safety and emergency services remain a significant portion of the county budget.
What are your views on funding and supporting law enforcement, fire rescue and EMS services?
Public safety is foundational. I fully support strong funding for our Sheriff Office, fire rescue, and EMS. These men and women put their lives on the line every day. They deserve proper equipment, training, and competitive pay to retain quality personnel.
A safe county attracts families and businesses. Supporting law enforcement is both the right thing to do and smart policy.
How do you plan to communicate with and remain accessible to constituents if elected?
Describe how you would keep residents informed and involved in county decisions.
Accessibility matters, and I will not disappear after Election Day. I plan to hold regular community meetings, maintain an active social media presence, and make my contact information readily available. I also believe in clear updates after major votes or decisions so residents understand what happened and why. If you call me, I will call you back. If you have concerns, I will listen.
County Council often must work with municipal governments, school districts and state officials.
How would you approach collaboration and conflict resolution with other local and state leaders?
I believe in respectful collaboration. We may not always agree, but we should always communicate. My approach is simple. Focus on what benefits Clarendon County residents. Leave ego at the door. When conflicts arise, address them directly and professionally. Strong leadership means building relationships and putting the community first.
Why should voters choose you on Election Day?
What sets you apart from the other candidates, and what would you hope to accomplish during your first term on council?
Voters should choose me because I will put taxpayers first, protect conservative values, and focus on results instead of politics.
What sets me apart is not just my commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and accessibility, but also my faith. My Christianity is the foundation of who I am. It shapes how I treat people, how I make decisions, and how I lead. I believe in servant leadership. I believe in integrity. I believe in standing firm on principles while treating others with respect and kindness.
I am not running for a title. I am running to serve. I answer first to God, then to my family, and then to the people of this district. That perspective keeps me grounded and focused on doing what is right, not what is popular.
In my first term, I hope to strengthen public safety, improve infrastructure planning, ensure responsible budgeting, protect taxpayers, and restore trust between county government and the people.
Clarendon County deserves steady leadership rooted in faith, common sense, and conservative principles. I will show up, speak up, and stand firm for our community. I humbly ask for your vote.
