Rock Hill, SC — State Senator Wes Climer officially filed today to run for Congress in the Republican primary for South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, pledging a campaign grounded in constitutional leadership, integrity in public service, and accountability to the people.
Climer, who has represented York County in the South Carolina Senate, enters the race with a record of challenging government overreach and standing on principle, even when it comes at a personal or political cost.
“I’m running for Congress because I believe government is supposed to serve the people it represents,” said Climer. “Too often, it ends up serving the people inside it. That’s not what public office is meant to be, and it’s something we need to correct.”
Climer pointed to his successful legal challenge against the unconstitutional legislative pay raise as an example of his willingness to act on principle.
“When lawmakers voted to increase their own pay during their current terms, it violated the Constitution. I challenged it because the Constitution isn’t optional,” Climer said. “The South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously agreed. That decision wasn’t about politics. It was about doing what is right.”
Throughout his time in the State Senate, Climer has also emphasized personal accountability, including his decision to decline participation in the legislative retirement system.
“Public office should not be a path to personal financial gain,” Climer said. “It should be a period of service. I rejected the legislative retirement benefit in Columbia, and I will hold myself to that same standard in Washington.”
As part of his campaign, Climer is calling for reforms aimed at restoring public trust in government, including a ban on stock trading by members of Congress.
“Members of Congress should not be using information gained through their office to make money in the stock market,” Climer said. “If we expect the public to trust our institutions, we have to remove conflicts of interest and hold ourselves to a higher standard.”
Climer said his campaign will focus on restoring a sense of duty in public service and ensuring that elected officials are accountable to the people they represent.
“We have a responsibility not only to follow the Constitution, but to do what is morally right,” Climer said. “That’s the standard I’ve tried to live by in the State Senate, and it’s the standard I will bring to Congress.”
He continued “I’m hopeful the voters of South Carolina’s fifth district see that I’ve been fighting for them while in the State Senate and I’ll continue to do so in Washington as I work to push President Trump’s America First agenda, cut the debt and defend our conservative values. “
The Republican primary for South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District will take place on June 9th.For more information, visit http://wesclimer.com
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