Anderson Democrats Honor Floyd, West, at Freedom Gala

By Mary Geren

On Saturday nearly 300 Democrats from across South Carolina and even North Carolina came together at the Hammond-Preston House to honor two heroic public servants. The event served as a fundraiser for the local party but was also a moving tribute for two of Anderson’s most faithful Democrats and public servants: Councilwoman Gracie Floyd who served as the only African American on the Anderson County Council for over two decades and Reverend Dr. George West, a former AnMed chaplain, professor, minister, and activist.

The evening included a reception and live entertainment from Loretta Holloway: South Carolina’s Official First Lady of Song as well as The Winbush Sisters. Notable sponsors were former Governors Dick Riley and Jim Hodges as well as Jaime Harrison, Bakari Sellers, former Congressman Joe Cunningham, State Representatives Russell Ott, Krystle Matthews, and Leola Robinson, and Spartanburg County Democratic County. Special guest speakers included Anderson Mayor Tererence Roberts, Councilman Glenn Davis, SCDP Chairman Trav Robertson, State Senator Mia McCleod, and keynote speaker Representative Justin Bamberg.

What makes this particular political event unique is that it was the most successful fundraiser for Anderson County Democrats in the party’s decades-long existence. Not only did they surpass their initial fundraising goal, but ACDP served as a catalyst to unite key stakeholders from the

Upstate, Midlands, and the LowCountry. The raised funds will be used to build the necessary infrastructure to organize in a bold and aggressive manner ahead of the 2022 midterm election and beyond.

Granted, Anderson is one of the most ruby red corners of South Carolina, but the County is growing and becoming more progressive every day. Certainly, the GOP feels untouchable here, but as we saw in Georgia, with hard, consistent work, passion, and talent, progress can come to South Carolina too. So, fasten your seatbelts, folks; we are just getting started! Pretty soon, it will be impossible to ignore the work of Democrats not just across the state but even here in Anderson.

We would like to think Gracie and George were looking down on us Saturday night and beaming with pride and possibly dancing a little because the atmosphere was one of jubilation, hopeful expectation, and determination. Indeed there is more necessary, good trouble ahead for Anderson County Democrats and Democrats all across the South. Progressives who think they are alone should rest assured; there are more of us than the GOP would have you think.

As Ruth Bader Ginsberg once said about women on the Supreme Court, “We’re here. Not as one-at-a-time curiosities. We are here to stay and in all our diversity.”

So, get used to it.

Mary Geren is 2nd Vice Chair of the Anderson County Democratic Party