As part of our continuing effort to bring local news that’s impactful to our readers, we’ve proactively reached out to the candidates running for the South Carolina House of Representatives.
We will not manipulate their answers in any way, we’ll simply provide to you, our readers. This will allow you to make an informed choice.
This week, we’ll introduce Katie Crosby
My name is Katie Crosby, and I’m running for the South Carolina House of Representatives in District 44 because I want to create opportunities for small businesses, continue to strengthen public schools, improve access to healthcare, and increase road safety. I’ve been knocking on doors and listening on front porches, and I’m ready to take your concerns to the State House in Columbia.
Some folks have asked me why I work so hard and why I chose to run again. My story starts in Kannapolis, North Carolina, a town changed forever when the textile mill shut down.
The company laid off thousands of workers, including my dad, so my mom started a small business to keep our family going. That experience taught me resilience, empathy, and the power of neighbors looking out for one another.
I’m a former public school teacher with a degree in Elementary and Special Education. Teaching in Title I schools showed me the gaps in our system—and the dedication of our students and teachers.
From serving unhoused neighbors to volunteering abroad to helping families find stable homes, my mission has always been the same: building safe, secure futures.
I’m not a career politician. I’m a teacher, a wife, a community leader, and your neighbor.
I’ve run before, and I’m running again because our community deserves leadership that listens—and shows up. Here are the issues I’ve heard over and over again from voters, and my plans to address them from the legislature:
Families in Indian Land and across District 44 are working harder than ever, yet too many are still struggling to afford the basics. Rising costs and stagnant wages are putting pressure on household budgets and small businesses alike. I’ll work on simple yet powerful solutions like tax breaks and grants for local businesses, and holding large non-local companies accountable for hiring local. South Carolina’s economy should work for working families — not just corporations, and I’m running to build stability, raise wages, and create real opportunity for our community.
Traffic and growth are reshaping District 44, but our infrastructure hasn’t kept up. Many other districts around the state have similar issues: congestion, unsafe intersections, and overloaded systems put families at risk every day. I’ll fight to require meaningful impact studies before large developments are approved, ensure growth pays for growth – including roads, schools, utilities, and public safety – and give local communities a real voice in planning decisions. Development should be planned, roads should be safe, and infrastructure should serve the people who live here, not leave communities stuck playing catch-up.
Healthy families are the foundation of strong communities. But across District 44, families are struggling to afford care, find providers, and get timely help when they need it most. One of the tasks close to my heart because of my classroom experience is expanding mental health
coverage for children through both Medicaid and private insurance. Healthcare should be accessible and affordable, and your information kept private, and I’m running to make sure every family in our community can get the care they deserve, close to home.
Strong public schools are the foundation of a strong community. I’m immensely proud of the improvements Lancaster County Schools have made in recent years across the district, from increasing student test scores to bolstering both student and staff morale to even raising teacher pay, and they have done it all with significantly limited resources. Still, they continue to face challenges: rapid growth in District 44 means we still have overcrowded classrooms, and we still need more funds to hire additional teachers for new students enrolling. These factors are putting pressure on students, families, and educators alike. Every child deserves a high-quality public education — and I’m running to strengthen our schools, support teachers, and prepare students for bright futures right here at home.
You can find more information about my plans and my background at CrosbyforSC.com and, of course, I’d love to hear from you. Please send me your questions and tell me what issues matter most to you.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
