Minerd: Politicians not accountable
By Glenn Smith
Leslie Minerd has never tried a legal case. She doesn't even hold a law degree.
Leslie Minerd
But she doesn't see that as a disadvantage in her quest to become South Carolina's attorney general.
The 53-year-old Green Party candidate owns a vintage clothing and costume shop in Columbia called Hip-Wa-Zee. She also has been a longtime advocate for environmental and clean-energy causes.
"I am not a lawyer, but I have studied South Carolina legislation and I have spent a lot of time down at the Statehouse," she said. "I know how things work. And I know that politicians have not been very accountable to the people."
If you haven't heard of her, that's probably because she hasn't done much campaigning at all.
Her father became ill earlier this year, and Minerd all but shelved her campaign to care for him before his death this summer.
Minerd hasn't raised any cash, has no campaign staff or office and is still trying to get a website up and running. Her motto: "I am not a lawyer, but I have been to traffic court a few times."
"I'm running a sort of post-primary, Alvin Greene-type of election," she said. "I'm really not doing much of anything."
That's not to say she doesn't have an agenda.
Minerd said she wants to work on reforming sentencing laws so that drug users and other non-violent offenders can get treatment instead of long prison sentences that are costly to the state.
She said she also wants to overturn a state law that forces utility rate-payers to foot costs for nuclear power plants up front.
Minerd said she's well-versed on the issues and could hire advisers to work through the legal intricacies of the job.
Leslie Minerd
AGE: 53
FAMILY: Single, with two children
RESIDENCE: Columbia
OCCUPATION: Owner, Hip-Wa-Zee vintage clothing and costume shop
EDUCATION: Attended University of South Carolina and Cornell University, 1974-78
PRIOR PUBLIC OFFICE: None
CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: Under construction
CONTACT: hipwazee@gmail.com
Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com.
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