Ketner kicks off bid for congressional seat
By Robert Behre
The Post and Courier
Linda Ketner announces her candidacy for the 1st Congressional District seat as Charleston Mayor Joe Riley (right) looks on Thursday.
Speaking to more than 150 supporters jostling for space under a rental tent in Charleston's Cannon Park, Charleston businesswoman and philanthropist Linda Ketner kicked off her Democratic bid for the 1st Congressional District seat.
"What we need to do together is to forge a new path forward," she said, noting the rising cost of gassing up, rising health care costs, the current wave of foreclosures, lost jobs and an education system in need of improvement. "I want you to elect me to lead that new path forward."
Saying that "you need to be more than strong to be great," she said she would urge more collaboration and diplomacy on foreign policy. "Homeland security means more than kicking off your shoes and throwing away your shampoo."
Mayor Joe Riley introduced Ketner, calling her "a human dynamo" and the person most responsible for the state establishing a low-income housing trust fund.
Ketner, whose parents, Ralph Ketner and Ruth Hope, and partner, Beth Huntley, attended the announcement, also was praised for her advocacy of fairness regardless of a person's race, gender or economic status. A management consultant known for her philanthropy, Ketner has worked on the Hurricane Hugo Relief Committee, the Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness and Affordable Housing and on the Alliance for Full Acceptance. The Charleston chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People gave her one of its highest honors last year.
Ketner faces a June 10 primary challenge from Ben Frasier. The winner will face incumbent Rep. Henry Brown or one of his Republican challengers, Katherine Jenerette or Paul V. Norris.
Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.
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ConcernedDorchesterCitizen (anonymous) says...
I was one of the people shivering in the rain, hoping to find out more about the woman running. Boy, I wasn't disappointed. She is a wonderful speaker, and quite frankly, overqualified for this job. I hope everyone takes the time to go to her website and find out more about her. It would be our pleasure to have a person of her caliber serving us.
April 4, 2008 at 6:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
voyager12 (anonymous) says...
Go Linda! I moved to North Carolina 3 years ago but she has my vote in spirit.
April 4, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jnot (anonymous) says...
It's about time we got a qualified candidate for this office. Henry Brown is an embarrassment, whether it's leading the entire U.S. Congress in wasting money through mailings or personally taking part in deforesting the state, he's been nothing but bad news and a rubber stamp for every bad idea that's come out of Washington.
April 4, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigwhip (anonymous) says...
Out with all of the incumbents.
April 4, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Some of Linda's education platform from her website is disappointing and reflects liberal socialist dogma. "Oppose vouchers, private school tuition tax subsidies and other measures...". "Summer and after-school programs should be extended to keep kids off the streets..." "We need to adjust school hours to meet the needs of working parents, and provide enriched after school care. "We must link together child care, health care, education and family support services for families that need them." Her economy plan includes raising the minimum wage,. She calls for all children under 18 to be health insured under the SCHIP. She does not call for the abolishment of the IRS and implementation of the Fair Tax, she does not call for welfare reform, she does not call for the elimination of any government agency. She has a few good points on some of her website issues but be prepared to read between the lines especially for anyone announcing candidacy for office with Riley standing next to them.
April 4, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ConcernedDorchesterCitizen (anonymous) says...
Kid Yendor
Oh yeah,I forgot it is the Republican Party which is full of family values except when it comes to teaching our young.
We definately do not need her kind - you know actually caring about quality education for our children, having affordable health insurance, raising minimum wage so that families can afford to pay for the luxuries such as gas and electricity.
Its sad that your spitting out the party line. You really need to remember your the party of "family values"
April 4, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ron_Godzilla (anonymous) says...
She won't win because she is a Democrat and the dumb ass red-neck jesus freakin majority that is South Carolina don't elect democrats. Just like sheep being lead to the slaughter they will vote Republican even though Henry Brown is a worthless do nothing turd. Republican work horse my ass! He should be called a Republican Tax Payer Money Waster. If you don't believe me look at Thomas Ravenel. It was well known he was the Tony Montana of SC politics before he was elected treasure but the people of SC voted for him because he was a republican. South Carolina politics is beyond help. It's like a horse with a broken leg.
April 4, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Concerned, I don't like Republicans very much. They say they have principles and then abandon them when elected. They say they will cut spending but might, if we are lucky, only cut the increase in spending rate over the previous year. Public education will not improve as long as Washington mandates failed policy and bribes people in the bureaucratic trough to follow their imbecilic directions that follow the line of political correctness on a path to certain failure. Education facilities should not be used as a babysitting service after the school day is over. Health care costs rise because of the creation of Medicare and Medicaid. When government starts paying for things costs rise and that is why you pay $8,000 for a couple days in the hospital after you faint if you have no insurance. Minimum wage is another thing. When the minimum wage was $1.60, stamps were a dime, new cars were $5,000, and apartments rented for under $300. When the minimum wage is inflated costs go up again in relation to the increase. Sorry Concerned, I am not a Republican or Democrat, just a man that realizes that government stands in the way of our success. Candidates who call for "change" without also calling for a lesser role from government really want things to stay the same. Candidate Ketner does not want change if she opposes vouchers and tax credits for people opting out of the public education mess.
April 4, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jnot (anonymous) says...
KidYendor,
I don't typically quote from Wikipedia, but it's a nice shortcut when you don't have time to research -- maybe you should try it sometime.
"(the minimum wage) had its highest purchasing value ever in 1968, when it was $1.60 per hour ($9.12 in 2005 dollars)" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_wage_in_the_United_States]
Esentially, the minimum wage has been decreasing ever since, not keeping up with (therefore certainly not responsible for) inflation.
April 4, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bkeelin (anonymous) says...
Concerned Dorchester Citizen,
If MURDERING INNOCENT UNBORN CHILDREN and force feeding homosexual agenda's is Your idea of family values then it is you who need to quit spitting out the party line. Government education falls behind, far behind almost every other form of education that is available, in academia, discipline, accountability, etc. And the government requires more of our tax dollars to come in last. Socialism is not the answer but it is what demoncrats continue to push. There is no article in the constitution that mandates the government to provide health care, welfare, or education. The US Treasury will be essentially bankrupt in a few years because of all of these welfare programs that seemed like good ideas at the time but has promoted dependency on the government to continue to provide them and increase their funding.
April 4, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ConcernedDorchesterCitizen (anonymous) says...
First, I have never murdered unborn children. Many Democrats do not, I repeat, do not murder unborn children. We do not spout off the family values lines while allowing people to starve.
As for the "Homosexual agenda"; I have no idea what you are talking about. I, as well as other Democrats, believe in equal rights for everyone not just the White male Christians only.
Since the Post only lets you post anonymously, I have no idea who or what you are. But I know I am a solid middle class citizen who believes in DEMOCRACY rather than idiotic spin that you Republicans try to shove down everyone's throats.
April 4, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
Concerned Dorchester Citizen ..(I like the Name)The Post allows you to post with your real Name FYI. Research Christian exodus-Secession convention and it might explain bkeelin's statement.
April 4, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
Ketner has my interest.
April 4, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ConcernedDorchesterCitizen (anonymous) says...
ChrisPia
OMG, I have heard about that wacked out group, but i didnt believe it existed.
Sad, that individuals are like that. I would say I would pray for him, but they would probably take offense. (LOL)
I wonder what would happen if they actually got their way - who would they crusade against next.
Thanks for the heads up :)
April 4, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
I just signed up. http://lindaketner.com/
April 4, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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