Local attorney Tom Young Jr. announced he is joining the Republican field of candidates who will seek to fill Rep. Skipper Perry’s seat.
A week ago Young confirmed he was strongly considering making the move but officially threw his hat into the ring Tuesday. Perry said earlier this month he will not seek re-election to the seat he has held for eight years.
Young said the theme of his campaign will be “Plans for Palmetto Progress,” a set of short- and long-term goals he believes will benefit District 81.
“Based on the conservative business principles of Ronald Reagan and Carroll Campbell, my plan can make our county and our state more competitive in today’s global economy by recruiting jobs, cutting taxes, reining in wasteful spending, preserving our natural resources, fighting illegal immigration, reducing the cost of health insurance and building an educational system that provides a trained workforce,” Young said.
His “Plans for Palmetto Progress” would support efforts to restructure state government. But restructuring state government is a term being used by some of the others that have already announced their intentions to vie for the seat. What distinguishes him from them, Young said, is that his plan is so focused.
“These ideas … will reform Columbia and move both Aiken County and our state forward. We are excited about the opportunity to serve and look forward to taking our message – ‘A Plan for Palmetto Progress’ – to the people.”
Perry’s announcement that he would not campaign for another term in office came as a surprise to Young, he said.
While he wishes the legislator well, he is excited for the chance to run for the seat.
“I have had a longstanding interest to serve Aiken in the General Assembly,” he said. “It is a tremendous honor to serve the community where I grew up in the State House.”
A native of Aiken, Young, 36, is a law partner at Whetstone, Myers, Perkins and Young LLC. He helped found the firm three years ago. He has not had any previous political experience. Young graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1993 and from the USC School of Law in 1996. He currently serves on the boards of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce and Children’s Place, among others. He is married and has two daughters.
Aiken Standard, 2/20/08
By HALEY HUGHES
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