John W. Pettigrew, Jr. of Edgefield announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination for the newly drawn SC Senate District 25 seat which now includes all of Edgefield County and portions of Aiken, Lexington, McCormick and Saluda Counties. Pettigrew is the broker in charge/ owner of Pettigrew Properties. He has previously been elected to serve as Mayor of Edgefield and in the SC House of Representatives, as well as serving as county administrator and on the staff of Senator Strom Thurmond.

“I love South Carolina. I believe in South Carolina. I believe that we can do better as a state.”

“Growing up, my parents taught me to use common sense, to be careful spending money, that a man’s word is his bond and to trust in the Lord,” Pettigrew said. “If I am elected, I will take those values with me to Columbia along with my core conservative principles of less government and more individual responsibility. I will focus my service on the issues important to the people of our district – jobs, education, government reform and protecting property rights.”

“We must do more and work together to make sure that additional jobs and investment come to our part of the state. I will bring a common sense business perspective to the legislature.” Pettigrew’s experience includes service as an appointee of Governor Carroll Campbell on the State Development Board, a board member of the Economic Development Partnership of Aiken and Edgefield Counties, and as a member of the Economic Development Committee of Edgefield County.

“My work with Senator Thurmond taught me that public service means dedicated attention to the needs of all citizens and that elected offices belong to the people – not to the person currently holding the position. I look forward to the campaign ahead and hope to have a personal conversation with as many voters as possible. We plan a positive race focused on a discussion of the ways we can ensure that state government better serves the great people of South Carolina.”

Pettigrew is the son of Carolyn Pettigrew and the late John Pettigrew of Edgefield. He has a degree in Financial Management from Clemson University and a law degree from the University of South Carolina. John is married to the former Mary Allison Brooks of Greenwood and they are the parents of two young girls, Carolina Brooks (7) and Amelia Way (5). They are active members of Edgefield First Baptist Church where John has previously served as Sunday School teacher and Deacon Chairman.