by Laine Horowitz, GWCDP Secretary
The weather was gloomy for the grand opening of the Greenwood office for Francie Kleckley, Candidate for SC Senate District 10. Senate District 10 was redistricted in 2021, a redistricting in which Abbeville and McCormick were removed. Now it contains almost all of Greenwood and a long, thin stretch of land to Lexington. And yes. That means that Democrat Francie Kleckley is running against Republican Billy Garret. Go Francie!
The office, which was once a house, was warm and inviting. There were refreshments, and people stood together getting to know each other. The question most asked by far was, “How do you know Francie?” There were so many different answers. There were even some star appearances. Greenwood’s own star maker Senator Floyd Nicholson showed up to throw his support behind Francie, and Bishop Oliver T. McCray, Jr. was there to bless the new office.
Yellow Dog Democrats David and Margaret have been following Francie Kleckley’s campaign online, and they were looking forward to a chance to meet her in person. They drove from Ware Shoals to the Grand Opening of her Greenwood Office after seeing the event listed on the Greenwood County Democratic Party’s (GWCDP) Facebook page.
A regular at the GWCDP breakfasts reported that what drew her to Francie was her financial background. She felt Francie’s long background working in the IRS as a problem solver and a leader would shore up some holes we now have in our current government. Who knows? Maybe we won’t be finding $1.8 Billion dollars in a random account. That’s a lot of money to have sitting around unable to be used at a time when state agencies’ requests totaling $3 Billion in funding went unfulfilled in next year’s budget just passed by the South Carolina House.
Francie’s dearest friends also showed up for the event. Todd has been friends with Francie for 30 years, and he laid claim to being one of the many to encourage her to run. He described Francie as having all of the qualities you want: knows how government works; knows taxes; level headed; a clear thinker; and a single mom who is the first of her family to go college, showing what a hard worker she is.
After Todd, friend after friend spoke of encouraging her to run. Harry, who’s known her since 2006, and not one, but two Sheilas. Then Mary, who has known Francie for 25 years, stepped forward to talk about why she encouraged Francie to run. She said Francie has seen a lot in her life and has empathy for everyone. Other important skills that make her so well-suited are that she is a great listener, she has a sound mind, and, something not seen too much today: Francie will work on both sides of the aisle to get things done! Mary also pointed out that Francie doesn’t have to do this. She was happily retired. She is doing this because she has a calling to be a civil servant. That’s somebody we want in office!
In the end, not even the gray, drizzly day could keep people from coming to the Grand Opening for Francie Kleckley, our candidate for SC Senate District 10. The office will be somewhere to pick up campaign materials, for people to gather for phone banking, and just to be a home base for those working on the campaign and for Francie herself. The office is located at 212 Grace Street. Come by and join the campaign!
For more on Francie Kleckley and any events in the area, follow her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/francie.kleckley
and the Greenwood County Democratic Party’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/GreenwoodDemocraticParty
