After a hard-fought Democratic primary win in June, District 66 Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter could be expected to take her challenge in the Nov. 4 general election a little easier.

Cobb-Hunter, an outspoken veteran lawmaker, is facing Republican Tim Hawkins in a remake of the 2006 general election. Cobb-Hunter defeated the GOP newcomer by a vote of 6,415 to 2,340, for a 73 percent margin of victory.

“The seat belongs to the people. I’m definitely taking nothing for granted,” she said. “Anything can happen on Election Day. I never take anything for granted, particularly after such a bruising primary. That’s even more of a reason ... I’m focused like a laser on this election.”

In the primary, Cobb-Hunter defeated newcomer Priscilla Glover Robinson by a vote for 3,187 to 2,010, for a 61 percent win.

Hawkins had no Republican primary opposition.

The eastern Orangeburg County district has 20,091 registered voters, of whom 13,425 are black or non-white and 6,666 are white.

Precincts in District 66 are Ward 3, Sub 3, Sub 4, Bethel, Bowman 1 and 2, Branchville 1 and 2, Elloree 1 and 2, Eutawville 1 and 2, Holly Hill 1 and 2, Providence, Rowesville, Santee 1 and 2 and Vance. Also, a very small portion, some 40 registered voters, in Ward 4 are included.

Gilda Cobb-Hunter“If the voters send me back to Columbia, I’ll continue the work I’ve spent the last 16-1/2 years doing,” she said. “I’ll be focusing on rural economic development, access to health care, education and just trying to improve the quality of life for the residents of District 66 and South Carolina.”

During the last term, Cobb-Hunter says she was particularly proud of her work in getting health insurer Blue Cross/Blue Shield to cover colon screening.

“As a result of my work, any person who has a Blue Cross/Blue Shield card, can go have a colonoscopy done and the insurance will cover it,” she said. “Colon cancer is 98 percent curable provided the screening is done.”

A member of the key Ways and Means Committee and the joint Bond Review Committee, Cobb-Hunter notes she also serves on the Education Funding Study Committee that is reviewing the formula for school funding. Also, she serves on the committee looking into the technical needs of state government.

Although it’s a very tight budget year, the lawmaker says she’s pleased that she was able to protect funding for the teen pregnancy prevention program and for the program that provides state health insurance for children. She also cites support from the community-based health centers and a program implemented at The Oaks that helps keep fragile elderly people out of nursing homes.

“All of these programs are making a difference and ought to be maintained,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to do my very best to make a difference for the people in my district and in this state.”

A native of Gifford, Fla., and a 29-year resident of Orangeburg County, Cobb-Hunter has a bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University and a master’s degree from Florida State University. She is a licensed independent social worker and a member of Leadership South Carolina class of 1986, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Branchville chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Tim HawkinsAcknowledging that he’s not campaigning as much as he did in 2006 due to business concerns, Hawkins says he’s still running to give voters a choice for a change in leadership.

“We’re still the bottom of the barrel when it comes to education. We’re still way behind when it comes to jobs,” he said.

As a Republican, Hawkins says he takes exception with Cobb-Hunter on almost all issues.

“She doesn’t want to see education change. I want to see parents’ choice on where to send their children. I favor choice,” he said. “If a school is failing, I don’t think someone should have to stay.”

Calling for a change in leadership, Hawkins says “Orangeburg County is getting deeper and deeper into a hole. It will be up to the folks to make a change.”

A native of Berkeley County and a Eutawville resident since 1991, Hawkins is owner of a Goose Creek area roofing business. He is a member of Corinth Baptist Church in Vance, where he serves as a deacon and youth pastor.

• Fourth in a series about local candidates in the Nov. 4 general election

T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached at tlyon@timesanddemocrat.com or by calling 803-533-5545.

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