Elections 2026: Anderson County Republican Party Goals
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
It’s an election year, and the Anderson Observer sent questions to the leadership of the county's two major political parties asking for an outline of their goals, priorities and objectives for the year.
Answers are unedited, allowing the party leadership to tell their stories in their own words.
Here are the answers from the Anderson County Republican Party:
1. Tell me a little about the history of The Anderson County Republican Party.
During modern history, Democrats held a firm hold in Anderson County and state government. Beginning in the mid-60s, a group of conservatives came together to form the Anderson County Republican Party. Charles Crowe, Cordes Seabrook, Norman Wham, Cathy Corcoran, Bill and Thelma Trammel, Rufus Keys, and Richard Otter along with Charlie Jowers are known to be the first organizers. Charles Crowe, who later became known as “Mr. Republican” in Anderson County was the first known elected Republican in Anderson County when he won a seat on Anderson City Council. Subsequently, Rich Otter became the first Republican Mayor of Anderson. Norman Wham was an RNC National Delegate in 1976. Anderson County Sheriff Gene Taylor was elected in 1988 as the first countywide Republican followed by Dan Cooper as the first Republican State Representative and the first Republican County Councilman Ed Allgood. Some of the first Party meetings were held in the old Anderson Recreation Center. Today, the Anderson County Republican Party (ACRP) is a vibrant voice in the county.
2. How many members do you have, and how does someone join?
Anderson County has 79 voting precincts that are mostly controlled in numbers by Republicans. The Reorganization process occurs every two years as required by state law and at that time officers are elected from their resident precincts. Those officers and precinct members then participate in the County Convention where county officers are elected along with delegates to the following state convention. The Executive Committeeman from each precinct holds the voting power for that precinct at the regular monthly meetings. The State Executive Committeeman holds the vote for the county on the SCGOP State Executive Committee.
It’s easy to join and participate in the party! During the two-year term, if an individual is interested in joining the party, and they did not participate in ReOrg, they can contact the ACRP to find out who their precinct leaders are and contact them directly about joining the party, and therefore, joining the ACRP. They can also find out their precinct by visiting www.scvotes.gov.
The ACRP holds monthly meetings the 3rd Monday of each month. Each month typically hosts special speakers ranging anywhere from the County to the State Levels.
The ACRP also has several organized committees with many levels of opportunities to serve and get involved in the local community.
All concerned conservative citizens are welcome to attend the monthly meetings to learn more about the conservative issues facing our county, state, and country.
3. What are the three top priorities of the Anderson County Republican Party for 2025?
The Anderson County Republican Party always prioritizes the Platform and Mission Statement of The Right to Life, Religious Liberty, Private Property, Personal Responsibility, Traditional Values, Limited, Constitutional Government, State Sovereignty, Low Taxes, Personal Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and Strong National Defense & Secure Borders. The ACRP priority is to promote our Platform and elect candidates who will support it!
4. How do you hope to accomplish these goals/objectives?
Keeping citizens and constituents up to date by reporting on their elected officials voting records.
Educating citizens on upcoming State House and Congressional legislation and votes.
Encourage members to get involved in their local government
5. How will succeeding in these goals help Anderson County?
Succeeding in these goals will keep Anderson County a successful place to have a job, raise a family, safely educate your children, and to do business with a shared community of conservative values while at the same time reducing their cost of living (increasing affordability).
6. What are the top three challenges facing Anderson County in 2026?
Properly managed growth and development, property tax increases (incentives), budgets and allocating funds properly, economic development and fair/free market development for all corporations and small businesses.
7. What is the role of Anderson County’s elected officials at all levels, state, county and cities/towns?
To protect the life, liberty, and property of the citizens, keep their oaths of office, and defend the Constitution against foreign and domestic enemies.
8. Should county council elections be bipartisan? Why or why not?
County Council should be bipartisan, ensuring the will of The People has equal representation properly reflecting the political demographic of the county.
9. Where is the best place for voters to find information for the local and state 2026 elections?
You can visit the Board of Voter Registrations and Elections at Registration & Elections - Anderson County South Carolina, attend the monthly ACRP meetings, visit our website at www.andersonsc.gop, or follow us on FB at Anderson County SC Republican Party.
The ACRP will be hosting several opportunities for members of the community to meet current elected officials and candidates to learn more about their platforms and vision for our county and state.
In addition, the ACRP will be hosting a gubernatorial event on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Civic Center. All gubernatorial candidates have been invited, and commitments have been received.
10. What are three things not covered in these questions that are of major concern to the Anderson County Republican Party in the year ahead. No Response to this question.
