WHAT MIDLANDS VOTERS ARE SAYING

“I voted for Hillary because the United States needs to do a shift. Our thinking is so conservative. To have a female as president, after having an African-American as president, will give the country another opportunity to shed old resentments and come on into the new era.”

– Deandre “D.A.” Brabham, 57, of Marrob Court in Columbia, a computer programmer who regularly votes in Democratic primaries

“I voted for Hillary Clinton. I volunteered for her campaign back in 2008, so I’ve been a longtime supporter. I definitely think she will advocate for women’s rights. I’ve been concerned with some of the things I’ve seen in the news about women’s rights being taken away in regards to the right to choose, to be paid equally, things of that nature.”

– Alison Hogue, 35, of Hope Avenue in Columbia, a career development coach at the University of South Carolina who votes regularly in Democratic primaries

“I voted for Sen. (Bernie) Sanders. He’s the only one of the candidates right now who, in and of himself, actually has personal finances and a family orientation the way that most Americans, in my mind, are. He’s not a rich guy. He doesn’t take a lot from special interests. In the last 20 years, he’s the last real American to run for president.”

– James Stemba, 33, of Cairnbrook Drive in Lexington County, a workforce supervisor who regularly votes in Democratic primaries

“(I voted for) Hillary. I like everything she’s saying right now – like I know she supports Plan B (emergency contraception), and she supports higher wages for women, just to name a few.”

– Christopher Cochran, 21, of Meadowlake Drive in Columbia’s Meadowlake neighborhood, a student at Benedict College and a first-time voter

“I voted for Hillary. She has been around quite a while fighting for blacks, trying to get better jobs, better education.”

– David Webb, 64, of Easter Street in Columbia’s Greenview neighborhood, a retiree who votes regularly in Democratic elections

“(I voted for) Bernie. ... I don’t feel he is targeted toward black people more. I feel like he’s more into making everybody happy instead of just one race or rich people or poor people.”

– Kayana Hendricks, 22, of Penrose Drive in Columbia’s Meadowlake neighborhood, a call center worker who votes regularly in Democratic elections

“I voted for Hillary. I was a Bernie (supporter) all the way up to about a week ago and ended up going with Hillary just for her understanding of policy, her foreign policy stance, her experience in government, and just the possibility she could actually be able to get her agenda through.”

– Kimberly “Kdawn” Branham, 52, of Hemphill Street in Columbia, an administrative assistant who votes regularly in Democratic primaries

“(I voted for) Hillary Clinton. She’s been in public service for my entire life. Bill Clinton is the first president I remember following. She has been through so much, and I think can stand up to Republicans on health care, gay marriage, Supreme Court choices.”

– Taylor Caughman, 34, of South Prospect Street in Columbia, a librarian who regularly votes in Democratic primaries

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Compiled by The State’s Glen Luke Flanagan, gflanagan@thestate.com