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News ArticleApril, 23, 2008 Young LeadershipThe Charleston Chronicle On June 10th we will get the chance to elect a representative for our community. We must choose the most qualified person to lead us in the State Legislature and represent us in House Seat 111. That person is Clay Middleton. He was born and bred in Charleston. Clay stems from humble beginnings, never forgetting his childhood in Bayside Manor. He is a learned man, graduating from Burke High and the Citadel and he is working on his Masters from The Citadel. He is a noble man, having served our country during Operation Iraqi Freedom and earning the Bronze Star Medal. He returned to the city, ready to help his fellow Charlestonians. Clay has worked for several years as a community liaison for U.S. Congressman James Clyburn. He serves on several local and state boards. Clay has accomplished a lot in his twenty-six years, all for the betterment of our community. He is a young man who has stepped up to work for us. He is an earnest man, willing to do all he can to make Charleston a better place for all of us. He is the best candidate for SC House Seat 111. There are folks who actually hold Clay’s youth against him. Some political pundits have charged Clay with being too young to hold office right now. They have the audacity to tell him that he must wait his turn. Clay shouldn’t be vilified for being a young person. Someone like Clay who has accomplished so much in little time, he should be built up, not torn down. We must stop telling our best and brightest to step aside. Don’t underestimate our young people. And don’t sell Clay short. He has the experience, tenacity, and integrity we need to represent us in the State House. In running for House Seat 111, Clay faces opposition from career politicians. With all due respect, is the traditional career politician the way we really want to go yet again this election? The time has come for us not to vote solely on name recognition. We need to look at each candidate closely and look back on all that each person has done for our community. Just now, the issue of Stoney Field has become a political arena of sorts. This city known Stoney Field has been in bad shape for over twenty years. Only now, during this election year, are certain individuals coming to the spotlight to make this issue their own. Do we want to elect a person who will remember us only during an election year? Must we settle for a person who will reach out to us only when he wants our vote? Unlike others, Clay doesn’t only work for us some of the time. He works consistently as a public servant, listening to everyone’s concerns and offering to do all he can to solve problems. Clay’s name is not in the newspaper; his face is not on television, touting himself from behind a microphone. He works quietly and consistently behind the scenes to help others and to improve our way of life. He is not loud, brash, and reactionary. He is a proactive calm, cool, and collected person. He is intelligent and professional. He is about hard work, not hype. Charleston needs this young, vital leader representing us in the State House. This upcoming election will be a referendum on what the community thinks of young people holding local office. If we fail to support Clay, we are turning our backs on our youth. We should encourage young people like Clay to want to be political leaders. Let us elect Clay to the State Legislature. He will be there for us in Columbia. First, we need to be there for him on June 10th in the voting booths. Paid for by the Grassroots Committee to Elect Clay Middleton to House Seat 111 |
