Incumbent Republican Mark Hammond is running for South Carolina Secretary of State against Democratic candidate Jason Belton.
Belton did not respond to our candidate guide. We will update this page with his responses if we receive them.
Mark Hammond (R)
What is your top priority and how do you plan to address it?
My priorities are straightforward: continue improving customer service, make it easier for citizens and businesses to interact with state government, strengthen protections for charitable donors, continue to modernize technology and maintain accurate, accessible public records. South Carolina is experiencing continued economic growth, and the Secretary of State’s Office should make it as straightforward as possible for legitimate businesses and organizations to establish themselves, comply with state requirements and operate successfully. Technology should be used not simply because it is available, but because it makes government work better for the people who rely on it. That means secure online services, straightforward processes, accessible information and systems that are designed around the needs of the customer. I believe the Secretary of State’s Office should be measured by whether it serves South Carolinians effectively. My goal is to continue building an office that is efficient, accountable, transparent and responsive while protecting the public and supporting South Carolina’s businesses and nonprofit organizations.
How will you advocate for small businesses?
Our excellent customer service enables us to support small businesses by providing the online and in-person services needed to start a new business or address changes that need to be made with the entity’s business filings throughout the life of the business. I believe the Secretary of State’s Office has an important role in supporting South Carolina’s economy and protecting the public. The office interacts with thousands of businesses, both large and small, charities, professionals and citizens every year. The office has a direct effect on whether people can efficiently conduct business, access public information, form organizations, obtain required services and make informed decisions. During my tenure, we have successfully worked to move government services online, improve customer service and strengthen oversight to protect citizens in our state. I want to continue that work while looking for practical ways to make government services easier to use and more responsive to the needs of South Carolinians.
What separates you from your opponent?
My experience, dedication, and proven record sets me apart from my opponent. South Carolina has been my home for my entire life, and public service has been the focus of my professional career. I grew up in Spartanburg and graduated from Dorman High School. I earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Newberry College in 1986 and a master’s degree in education from Clemson University in 1988. After completing special basic training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, I worked as a criminal investigator with the Seventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office, assisting prosecutors from 1991 through 1996. I then served as Clerk of Court for Spartanburg County from 1997 to 2002. In 2002, I was elected South Carolina’s 41st Secretary of State. I have proudly continued to serve the citizens of the state since that time. I have had the opportunity to work with businesses, nonprofit organizations, attorneys, notaries, local governments and citizens throughout our state. That experience has given me a practical understanding of how important it is for government to be accessible, efficient, accountable and responsive to the people it serves.