The 2024 presidential election is going to be the most important election of my lifetime, and here in the Palmetto State, we pick presidents.
As host to the first-in-the-South presidential primary contest, South Carolina has the privilege and responsibility of vetting and ultimately electing the next president of the United States. After carefully considering all of the candidates running — including two fantastic individuals I personally know from South Carolina — I am convinced that Donald J. Trump is the only person who can rescue our nation from the disastrous policies of the Biden-Harris administration.
The contrast between Joe Biden’s reckless administration and the long list of President Trump’s first-term successes couldn’t be more obvious. Donald Trump’s proven record of promoting economic prosperity and job creation, coupled with his commitment to national defense, support for law enforcement and commitment to conservative principles make him the only candidate who can promote the continued growth and prosperity of our nation.
Mr. Trump ushered in a period of unparalleled economic growth during his presidency that was realized across the country, particularly here in South Carolina. His policies, specifically his tax cuts and deregulation initiatives, fostered a thriving economy that benefited all South Carolinians across all backgrounds.
Our state’s unemployment rate plummeted during his presidency, including record-low unemployment for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and women. The real effects of the booming economy could be felt by many South Carolinians who saw a boost in their wages and household savings under the economy fostered by President Trump.
Since this administration has come to office, inflation has been out of control. Gas was half as expensive on Election Day 2020 as it is today. Everyday expenses are simply unaffordable. We can all agree: Under Trump, we had more money in our pockets, more food on the table and the ability to fill our gas tanks without concern.
The effects of the Trump economy were felt not only in the lives of South Carolina’s citizens, but in our state’s business community as well. President Trump’s historic trade deals were vital for South Carolina’s economy and particularly beneficial to our critical automotive manufacturing sector.
Trump’s America First pro-business posture incentivized businesses to reinvest in the United States, resulting in job creation and a resurgence of manufacturing. BMW’s $600 million investment in its Spartanburg plant is a shining example of this in South Carolina.
Mr. Trump also helped make Charleston the deepest harbor on the East Coast when he approved a $138 million infrastructure investment to complete the Charleston Harbor deepening project, strengthening one of the most important economic drivers in our state.
His renowned business acumen enabled companies to invest in new equipment, expand their operations and hire more workers, a far stretch from the current administration’s approach.
While I can think of few things more important to the citizens of our nation than the economic outlook and its many direct effects, I know that South Carolinians also want a commander-in-chief they can trust. It’s no secret our state is home to many proud military members and families, including Shaw Air Force Base in my beloved hometown of Sumter. South Carolina boasts world-class military bases at Fort Jackson, Parris Island and Joint Base Charleston, and we maintain a strong connection and deep reverence for America’s exceptional military force.
The importance of a strong national defense has never been clearer than under the past three years of the Biden White House. The tragic Afghanistan withdrawal, a direct result of this administration, as well as the brazen invasion of Ukraine would never have happened with Donald Trump in office. Under him, our country saw peace and stability in our foreign relations, and as the first president in decades who didn’t start new wars, he took that opportunity to rebuild our military, enhance cybersecurity and modernize our defense capabilities.
As we approach the 2024 election year, and the tremendous consequences it will hold, I am honored to endorse Mr. Trump. As our 45th president, he was a champion for the values we hold dear and led our country into a period of economic prosperity and opportunity. I believe he will do it again. I ask everyone to join me in taking the first step to restoring strong leadership in the White House by supporting Donald J. Trump in the February first-in-the-South presidential primary.
G. Murrell Smith Jr. is the 61st speaker of the S.C. House of Representatives.
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