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Mary Geren

D
Quick Facts
Personal Details

Education

  • MA, English Literature (English Literature, Composition and Rhetoric), Clemson University,, 2003
  • BA, English, Clemson University, 2002

Professional Experience

  • MA, English Literature (English Literature, Composition and Rhetoric), Clemson University,, 2003
  • BA, English, Clemson University, 2002
  • English Instructor, Tri-County Technical College, 2009-present
  • Former Employee, Campaign for Jane Dyer
  • Former Employee, Campaign for President Obama
  • Former Employee, Campaign for Senator Vincent Sheheen
  • English Lecturer, Clemson University, 2003-2009
  • Money Manager, Carolina First Bank, 1999-2002

Political Experience

  • MA, English Literature (English Literature, Composition and Rhetoric), Clemson University,, 2003
  • BA, English, Clemson University, 2002
  • English Instructor, Tri-County Technical College, 2009-present
  • Former Employee, Campaign for Jane Dyer
  • Former Employee, Campaign for President Obama
  • Former Employee, Campaign for Senator Vincent Sheheen
  • English Lecturer, Clemson University, 2003-2009
  • Money Manager, Carolina First Bank, 1999-2002
  • Candidate, United States House of Representatives, District 3, 2018

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • MA, English Literature (English Literature, Composition and Rhetoric), Clemson University,, 2003
  • BA, English, Clemson University, 2002
  • English Instructor, Tri-County Technical College, 2009-present
  • Former Employee, Campaign for Jane Dyer
  • Former Employee, Campaign for President Obama
  • Former Employee, Campaign for Senator Vincent Sheheen
  • English Lecturer, Clemson University, 2003-2009
  • Money Manager, Carolina First Bank, 1999-2002
  • Candidate, United States House of Representatives, District 3, 2018
  • Advisor to Tri-County Political Scientists (TAPS), Tri-County Technical College, 2010-present
  • Member, Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce, present
  • Member, Foothills Alliance Board, present
  • Member, NewSpring Community Church, present
  • Former Anderson Community Team Leader, Secretary Hillary Clinton
  • Co-Chair, South Carolina Democrats Care Anderson Chapter
  • Community Team Leader, Hillary for America, 2015-2016
  • Volunteer/Healthy Lifestyles Chair, PTO-Calhoun Academy of the Arts, 2014-2015
  • Vice President, Anderson Democratic Women's Council, 2011-2013
  • South Carolina Delegate, Democratic National Committee, 2012
  • National Delegate, Democratic National Committee, 2012

Other Info

— Awards:

  • Excellence in Teaching Award Nominee-Clemson University, 2004
  • Summa Cum Laude Graduate-Clemson University, 2002
  • Top English Graduate-Clemson University, 2002

  • Eugene T. Smith: retired but former rock quarry foreman

Favorite Book:

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Harry Potter Series, Gone Girl

Favorite Movie:

Dirty Dancing, Gone with the Wind, American Beauty, Titanic

Favorite Musician:

90s alternative rock, mainstream pop, Eric Clapton, a little bit of everything

Favorite Quote:

"Nothing happens unless first a dream." --Carl Sandburg

"Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18

Proverbs 29:18: Where there is no vision, the people perish.

Favorite TV Shows:

House of Cards, Parks and Recreation, Modern Family, Grey's Anatomy, HardBall with Chris Matthews

  • Jewel: 13 year-old Dachshund-mix

Reason for Seeking Public Office:

As a mother and teacher, I am seeking public office because I am sick and tired of inactive career politicians and partisan gridlock. SC citizens deserve legislators who will fight for them rather than fight with each other, resulting in little progress in the areas of education, healthcare, and infrastructure. I envision a brand new day in SC when our elected officials will seek common sense solutions to propel this state forward, regardless of political persuasion.

I am running for State House to change the way we do politics in SC. Our current state govt. cannot even agree on how to fix our roads, which is shameful. I believe blind partisanship is the reason our elected officials cannot agree on common sense initiatives, such as improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Spouse's Occupation:

BMW Manufacturing Associate: New Model Team

Policy Positions

2021

Abortion

Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

Budget

1. In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

2. In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
- Unknown Position

Campaign Finance

Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

Economy

1. Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

Education

1. Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
- Yes

Energy & Environment

1. Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

Guns

Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

Health Care

Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- No

Immigration

1. Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
- No

2. Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
- No

Marijuana

Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Unknown Position

National Security

1. Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
- Unknown Position

2. Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
- Unknown Position

South Carolina State Legislative Election 2016 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- No Answer

2. Should abortions be illegal after the first trimester of pregnancy?
- No Answer

3. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- No Answer

4. Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
- No Answer

5. Do you support requiring parental notification before an abortion is performed on a minor?
- No Answer

6. Do you support requiring parental consent before an abortion is performed on a minor?
- No Answer

7. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for abortion procedures?
- No Answer

8. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No Answer

Budget, Spending, & Tax

Budget Stabilization:Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing South Carolina's budget.2) State Spending:Indicate what state funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.3) State Taxes:Indicate what state tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.

1. Tapping into South Carolina's "rainy day" fund
- No Answer

2. Decreasing funding for public universities
- No

3. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions
- No

4. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees
- No

5. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients
- No

6. Education (higher)
- Slightly Increase

7. Education (K-12)
- Slightly Increase

8. Environment
- Slightly Increase

9. Health care
- Slightly Increase

10. Law enforcement/corrections
- Slightly Increase

11. Transportation/infrastructure
- Slightly Increase

12. Welfare
- Maintain Status

13. Alcohol taxes
- Slightly Increase

14. Cigarette taxes
- Slightly Increase

15. Corporate taxes
- Slightly Increase

16. Small business taxes
- Maintain Status

17. Gas/Oil taxes
- Slightly Increase

18. Property taxes
- Maintain Status

19. Sales taxes
- Maintain Status

20. Income taxes (low-income families)
- Maintain Status

21. Income taxes (mid-income families)
- Maintain Status

22. Income taxes (high-income families)
- Slightly Increase

23. Do you support applying sales taxes to all online purchases?
- Yes

24. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

25. SC is ranked 35th in the nation for its economy and 39th for adults with a 4+ year degree. This is unacceptable! It is time to invest in our children, beginning in preschool and continuing on through college. Research has shown that a more educated citizenry creates a more robust economy. Also, by slightly increasing the gas tax, we can provide a more permanent solution for our infrastructure problems, rather than robbing the general fund for a temporary fix. We need to find solutions to the problems plaguing our state; the attitude of "NO" has caused our state to stagnate..
- We can no longer defund education, and we certainly can't reduce the salaries and/or pensions of our teachers. They need to be treated like the professionals they are. We also must do more to help the least of these: the most vulnerable of South Carolina's citizens, our Veterans, seniors, children, and impoverished. Our elected officials can and MUST do better!

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

Do you support limits on the following types of contributions for state candidates?

1. Individual
- Yes

2. Political Action Committee
- Yes

3. Corporate
- Yes

4. Political Party
- Yes

5. Should candidates for state office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits?
- Yes

6. Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
- Yes

7. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

8. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No Answer

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- Yes

2. Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
- Yes

3. Do you support legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana?
- No

4. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No Answer

5. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- Yes

6. Do you support delaying the seizure of assets by law enforcement officials until after a conviction?
- Yes

Economic

1. Do you support government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
- No Answer

4. Do you support increased state funding for job-training programs that re-train displaced workers?
- Yes

5. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- No Answer

6. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- Yes

7. Do you support providing financial incentives to the private sector for the purpose of job creation?
- Yes

8. Do you support providing direct financial assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure?
- Yes

9. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage?
- Yes

10. Should employers be able to ask about applicants' criminal history before interviewing them?
- Yes

Education

1. Do you support the national Common Core State Standards initiative?
- No Answer

2. Do you support a merit pay system for teachers?
- No Answer

3. Is the tenure process for public school teachers producing effective teachers?
- No Answer

4. Should parents be allowed to use vouchers to send their children to any school?
- No

5. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- Yes

6. Do you support the state government providing college students with financial aid?
- Yes

7. Should illegal immigrants who graduate from South Carolina high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state funding for the development of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil)?
- No Answer

3. Do you support state funding for improvements to South Carolina's energy infrastructure?
- Yes

4. Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
- Yes

5. Do you support government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

6. Do you support increased regulations of the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- No Answer

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
- Yes

4. Should a license be required for gun possession?
- Yes

Health

1. Do you support a universally-accessible, publicly-administered health insurance option?
- Yes

2. Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform?
- No Answer

3. Do you support interstate health insurance compacts?
- Yes

4. Do you support Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- No Answer

6. Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits?
- No Answer

7. Do you support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes?
- Yes

8. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Social

1. Do you support same-sex marriage?
- No Answer

2. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in South Carolina's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in South Carolina's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

4. Based on the religious beliefs of the owners, should businesses be allowed to refuse services to their employees and/or customers?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer