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By Jay King
HOMETOWN NEWS
After weeks of having his name bandied about as a possible challenger to 4th Congressional District Rep. Bob Inglis, Seventh Circuit Solicitor Trey Gowdy announced Monday that he will contest the seat spanning four Upstate counties.
During a press conference at his Spartanburg home, Gowdy said that he had come to the decision to run after much soul searching and out of a belief that Congress has lost its way.
He said that as the grandson of a man with only a 6th grade education, he believed America was still a country full of opportunity, a place where hard work and determination can bring success.
“That is the America I believe in,” Gowdy said. “Our country is at a crossroads…Most people have lost confidence in their leaders, and they’ve especially lost confidence in Congress.”
Gowdy said that he was not seeking office for the sake of holding a title but because the nation is facing a host of problems that must be addressed. He said that government has a role to play but that it was never meant to meet all of society’s needs.
Flanked by his wife, Terri, and their two children, Watson and Abigail, Gowdy said that he has learned a great deal in the past 16 years, first as assistant U.S. Attorney in Greenville and as Spartanburg and Cherokee counties’ top prosecutor.
“I’ve been a prosecutor for 16 years,” Gowdy said. “I am ready for a new challenge.”
Gowdy has gained statewide political recognition in recent years for his vocal and tireless support for toughening the state’s DUI laws. Through much of the campaign to get the state General Assembly to pass a new law, Gowdy made frequent appearances with Gov. Mark Sanford.
Gowdy said current Rep. Bob Inglis was a fine man but that he had a different vision for where the state and the nation need to be headed. He said that his platform will be based on core conservative values, values that were forged in Spartanburg County where he and his family still attend First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, the church in which he grew up.
Gowdy said that in order to change the future it is necessary to change leadership. He said that like other conservatives he thinks the federal bailout plan was ill-advised and places a burden of debt on the nation for generations to come.
Gowdy is entering what is becoming a crowded field for the congressional seat encompassing parts of Greenville, Spartanburg , Laurens and Union counties. Spartanburg’s Christina Jeffrey, who made a bid for state House District 32 seat last year, is joined by Jim Lee and Duke’s Sandwich Co. owner Andrew Smart. Other possible contenders for the seat include Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and Greenville Sen. David Thomas.
Gowdy said he is willing to debate Inglis “any time, anywhere” and looked forward to dealing with the issues facing the state and nation.
“I am not a candidate looking for an office,” Gowdy said. “I think if you see a problem you have a moral obligation to do something about it.”
jking@hometown-news.com
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