Curtis Bostic running for 1st Congressional District on his community roots

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Post and Courier plans to profile all 18 Republican and Democratic 1st Congressional District candidates by the March 19 primaries. This is the 14th installment.

BY ROBERT BEHRE

rbehre@postandcourier.com

Ask Curtis Bostic why he is running for the 1st Congressional District seat, and the former Charleston County councilman offers an answer much like many of his opponents.

“This sounds political, but it’s the truth: the sincere belief that we Americans have to make a change of course over the next few years or we’re going to have catastrophic problems,” he said.

“I believe we need common-sense Americans to get involved in the political process.”

Bostic appears uneasy with the task of promoting himself, but he said what distinguishes him from the field is his deep roots in the community.

He and his wife spent years raising their family in a mobile home to save up money to buy a 35-acre plot outside Ravenel.

There, they built a house and developed Peaceful Way, a retreat area with swimming, rock climbing, trails and other playgrounds. They regularly open it for use by churches and community groups. Once a year, they invite law enforcement officers and emergency responders.

This retreat is in addition to another nonprofit Bostic founded and directs: Remember, which provides aid in six of the most world’s most struggling countries.

“We love this community,” he said. “It sounds corny, but it’s absolutely the truth. I think we are uniquely part of the fabric ”

Bostic’s Peaceful Way home and retreat lie almost a mile outside the 1st District. While the law doesn’t require him to live in the district, some opponents have tried to make hay about his being outside it.

“Me living 4,500 feet from the district hasn’t disengaged me from the community,” Bostic said, adding, “I think my constituents should be rightfully concerned if their representative is engaged in the community, and I’ll take that test any day.”

If elected, Bostic said his first job would be to limit spending. His campaign website is stopspending.com.

“Congress’ authority rests in its ability to restrict the flow of cash from the government,” he said. “I would use my vote to influence more conservative spending habits and strengthen the ranks of like-minded people in the House.”

He also would work hard on the unique aspects of the district, such as its military bases and the Port of Charleston. “I believe I can bring a strong constituent service,” he said.

Bostic said he also is running in part as his record as a county councilman, a record that included eight years with no tax increases, success in luring new jobs, and the birth of the Charleston County Greenbelt Bank, a land preservation group Bostic patterned after the state’s successful conservation bank.

Bostic may be closer to U.S. Sen. Tim Scott — whose appointment to the U.S. Senate created the 1st Congressional District primary — than anyone else in the 16-candidate field.

They served together on County Council for six years.

“He has remained a good friend,” Bostic said of Scott.

While the new senator has remained neutral in the primary, Bostic said Scott encouraged him to run, adding, “He probably would encourage any good person to get in the race.”

But Bostic’s main message has remained focused on his record of service, from the Marines to County Council to his nonprofit work.

“I’m not looking for a place to serve,” he said. “I have been serving.”

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771.