At the time of print, Democratic House of Representatives Candidate Kimberly O. Johnson had not responded to interview questions. Therefore, we were unable to write a story on her.
The Manning Times is doing a series on each of the candidates that are running for positions that will be voted in this November. This is the fourth week of the series. We interviewed Fawn Pedalino, the Republican candidate for the House of Representatives, District 64.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in South Carolina. I attended schools in Summerville but have spent much of life in this region.
How long have you been in Clarendon County?
I have been in Clarendon County since 2010.
Are you married with any children?
I have been married to Joseph Pedalino for eleven years and I have two beautiful daughters, Selah and Rumor.
What is your educational background?
I decided to take the Entrepreneurial route after highschool, taking the technical college route, raising a family, starting a business as well as attending many EMT training classes during my ten years in the field. There is no one more qualified to know what their community needs than someone who is invested in that community through their business, community service and their children.
Where do you work?
I own an IT business in Clarendon County with my husband that deals with commercial IT and we have a storefront in Manning for residential computer/phone repair. Before that, I was in public service working for the 911 system as an EMT. I am also a licensed Realtor.
Why is the position of House of Representatives District 64 Important to you?
Clarendon County is one of the last Districts to have an appointed school board in the State of South Carolina. This means that your legislators decide, not voters who will manage our schools responsible for our community’s future. It’s very simple to me; if it’s OUR future, it should be OUR decision. After finding that the school board our current representative appointed, ws taking tax payers dollars that they now have to pay back, I realized how important it is to have representation that is going to choose local leaders that will uplift the community and make sure that all laws are upheld and take their positions seriously.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Clarendon County?
The biggest issue we face right now in Clarendon County is lack of transparency on what is happening and the decisions being made on our behalf and the mismanagement of taxpayer’s money. When you have a local representative that receives a $12,500 raise in less than six months after being moved under the board that she appointed, that is a problem.
What separates you from your opponent?
My opponent and I are polar opposite on a wide range of issues. She voted against businesses being protected from lawsuits during CoVid-19 (S.147), voted against female sports being protected against males competing with them ( Bill 4068) and voted against accountability in underperforming schools, which would hold school boards and superintendents accountable (S. 201). These are bills that I would have been in favor of. As our General Assembly elects’ Judges, I will commit to voting against Judges who are soft on crime.As someone who was an EMT, I am adamant about supporting law enforcement and first responders. We need a representative who wants to keep the community involved in upcoming legislation so that they can truly represent OUR voice!
What is the one thing you want the voters to remember when they are in the poll on November 8th?
We can only have positive change when we vote for change! If you give me the opportunity and vote for me, I will work hard to get this county’s focus back on the community and be a true voice for the people in the Statehouse.
