US Senate: Jay Stamper (D)
Date of birth, including year:1972
Number of years living in the district you seek to represent: 2
Family (name of spouse, number and ages of children if at home, number of grown children): Wife: Marnie Briggs Stamper
Education: Connecticut College, BA (Government)
Current occupation/employer: businessman/self
Employment, military and volunteer history:
Progressive Homesellers Inc., Founder and CEO
The Delaware Company, Founder and CEO
Please list all public offices to which you’ve been elected, when and where: N/A
Please list year and office of any unsuccessful runs for public office: N/A
Other political and government experience: N/A
Key endorsements you’ve received: Blue America PAC
1. What makes you the most qualified person to hold this position? (Be specific.)
I know firsthand that business and government can work together to help ensure that everyone has a fair shot at achieving their dreams. As a business leader, I’ve partnered with state government to help over 10,000 small business owners in South Carolina and across the country start their businesses and create jobs. I have consistently stood up for what I believe is right, including gun sense, marriage equality and choice, even in the face of opposition from within the state Democratic Party establishment.
2. What will be your top three priorities if you are elected? (100 words for each issue)
First, South Carolina needs a raise. I support President Obama’s initiative to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour. Nobody who works full-time should have to live in poverty.
Second, I’m going to stand up to Republicans like Lindsey Graham who want to weaken or destroy President Obama’s signature accomplishment: the Affordable Care Act.
Third, I’m going to stand up for senior citizens, veterans and the disabled and work to expand Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
3a. For non-incumbents: How would your approach to your job differ from the incumbent’s?
Lindsey Graham’s priority continues to be the Middle East, not middle class and working families in South Carolina. Senator Graham has voted to spend over $1 trillion on war and nation building overseas while we desperately need nation building right here in South Carolina to create well-paying jobs and care for seniors, veterans and the disabled. Unlike Lindsey Graham, I’m ready to put South Carolina first from day one.
4. Describe at least one significant political position you hold that would clash with your political base.
Unfortunately, the South Carolina Democratic Party establishment believes we need to act like Republicans to be elected as Democrats. I couldn’t disagree more. I’m proud to be a Democrat, proud of President Obama and what he’s accomplished, and I’m not going to spend a second of this campaign apologizing for it. I will continue to stand up for choice, gun sense and marriage equality.
5. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional licensing board or organization or had an ethics complaint filed against you? If so, please give the details.
In 2007, one of my companies mistakenly failed to register its securities with the State of Nevada. As a result, I was personally charged with three counts of selling unregistered securities. Although I never willfully broke the law, I took responsibility for the mistake, pled guilty and was sentenced to community service and a $10,000 fine.
6. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy or been delinquent on your federal, state or local taxes? If so, please give the details.
No.
7. Are there any personal details about you that voters would be interested in knowing?
I am now facing a conservative primary challenger named Brad Hutto, who stood with the NRA to allow guns in bars and has a 100% rating from the conservative South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.
I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak. I crawled the last 100 feet.
This story was originally published May 21, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "US Senate: Jay Stamper (D)."