Krystle Matthews in 2022 SC Senate race


On Crime: We do need to reimagine the way we do policing

We do need to reimagine the way we do policing. You know, our police have now turned into a little bit of everything from mental health counselors to marriage counselors. So, I really feel like that's something that is going to take a long time to flesh out, the problem didn't happen overnight and it won't be unraveled overnight.
Source: Charleston City Paper on 2022 South Carolina Senate race May 5, 2021

On Abortion: We must codify a woman's right to choose

Matthews put it bluntly: "F*** them."

"Restrictive laws will not impact the number of abortions in America but will impact the number of safe abortions," she continued. "Women are not objects to be controlled. This is exactly the time that women must rally together. We must codify a woman's right to choose. They want to force their policy to 'birth them now and provide no support for them later.' Today's decision was the last straw. I am mad as hell and I am ready to do something about it."

Source: ABC News4 on 2022 South Carolina Senate race Jun 24, 2022

On Civil Rights: Opposed transgender sports law, leave transgender kids alone

Democrats said Republicans should be ashamed for singling out people that much of society already treats badly. "Leave these transgender kids alone. There are less than 1% of them," said Rep. Krystle Matthews a Democrat from Ladson.
Source: CBS News on 2022 South Carolina Senate race Apr 5, 2022

On Drugs: South Carolina should be ready to support medical marijuana

The bill to legalize medical marijuana in South Carolina cleared a key hurdle, advancing to the House of Representatives floor for debate. At this point, every step bill takes is further than it has gone before, though supporters have been backing this push for years. "I think it is past time, and I think this body and this state is ready for it," Rep. Krystle Matthews said during Thursday's meeting.
Source: WRDW on 2022 South Carolina Senate race Apr 7, 2022

On Education: Frustrated with SC's consistent inadequacy with education

I saw working families like (mine) who weren't benefiting from the economy, I saw women like me whose vaginas were being policed by those who don't have one, I saw parents like me who were frustrated with South Carolina's consistent inadequacy with education for our children--I also saw black mothers like me and so many other people of color who fear for our kids safety every day when they just walk out the door.
Source: FITSNews on 2022 South Carolina Senate race Apr 13, 2021

On Government Reform: Grassroots effort to register 150,000 new voters

A Democratic state lawmaker is mounting a bid to unseat Sen. Tim Scott, saying her campaign - with the aim of registering 150,000 new voters across South Carolina - has what it takes to tighten the margin Democrats have struggled to close in statewide elections. "This is a true grassroots effort, focusing on voter registration, engagement and mobilization," state Matthews said. "We're going to meet and engage as many people as we can, particularly people who haven't voted in a while."
Source: The Sumter Item on 2022 South Carolina Senate race Apr 13, 2021

On Government Reform: Provide transparency between citizens and state government

I will provide transparency between citizens and the South Carolina state government. I am committed to increasing awareness and engagement about the issues that face our community. We deserve to live healthy, affordable, enjoyable lives and our communities should be a place that helps us thrive.
Source: 2022 South Carolina Senate campaign website KrystleForSC.com Apr 21, 2021

On Gun Control: Gun owner, strong advocate for gun reform laws

U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Krystle Matthews: "I'm a strong advocate for gun reform laws. I'm a gun owner, but common sense has got to kick in when we keep losing our most vulnerable, our children. I'm a mother of five. Red flags, background checks, online sales -- there are many ways we can be better, we MUST be wiser." Matthews is running to take on Scott in November.
Source: Charleston City Paper on 2022 South Carolina Senate race Jun 1, 2022

On Principles & Values: Can work with Republicans but confront them when needed

[On bipartisanship]: "We need someone vibrant, who is tireless and not afraid to have tough conversations," Matthews said. "We need someone who can work with Republicans but confront them when needed. Heck, some of my Republican colleagues in the State House like me as I do them, even when we fundamentally disagree. It is about having those hard conversations. I want to be that U.S. senator. I can be that U.S. senator."
Source: The State newsmagazine on 2022 South Carolina Senate race Apr 13, 2021

On Principles & Values: Not easily swayed without information, will read everything

Based on my reputation in the state house, they know that I'm not easily swayed without information. I have to read everything. I'm known for that ... because I want to make sure that I give the input that I have on whether or not I think something can be better, or whether I think something's going to be problematic. But we don't have too much of that.
Source: Charleston City Paper on 2022 South Carolina Senate race May 5, 2021

On Tax Reform: Exempt feminine hygiene products from state sales tax

The list of items exempt from South Carolina's 6 percent sales tax runs 23 pages long. Absent from that roster are feminine-hygiene products, which brings $3.8 million into state coffers annually. A Lowcountry legislator wants that to end, introducing a measure that would free them from the tax. Matthews said her bill is a matter not only of common sense but equality.

South Carolina is one of 33 states where tampons, sanitary napkins and other feminine personal care products are taxed.

Source: Charleston Post and Courier: 2022 South Carolina Senate race Apr 13, 2021

On Civil Rights: Criticized Tim Scott for claiming America isn't racist

CP: Was there anything in particular that you took issue with [in Senator Tim Scott's response to the 2021 State of the Union address on April 28, 2021]

KM: Saying America isn't racist. Do you know how many white people have inboxed me in the last 24 hours saying, "I'm white, and I know America is racist." And the god-awful pandering of the line, "cotton field to Congress," I mean ... Because Black people are not smart enough to know that he's pandering, right? We're smarter than that.

[Relevant excerpt from Tim Scott's speech that Matthews cites]: "Hear me clearly: America is not a racist country. It's wrong to try to use our painful past to dishonestly shut down debates in the present. We are not adversaries. We are family. We are all in this together, and we get to live in the greatest country on earth. The country where my grandfather in his 94 years saw his family go from cotton to Congress in one lifetime."

Source: Charleston City Paper on 2022 South Carolina Senate race May 5, 2021

The above quotations are from 2022 South Carolina Senate race: debates and news coverage.
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Krystle Matthews on other issues:
Abortion
Budget/Economy
Civil Rights
Corporations
Crime
Drugs
Education
Energy/Oil
Environment
Families
Foreign Policy
Free Trade
Govt. Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Immigration
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Principles
Social Security
Tax Reform
Technology
War/Peace
Welfare
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Page last updated: Mar 09, 2024