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Get to know Rep. Garland Pierce

Rep. Garland Pierce, D-Scotland, has represented the South Carolina border county and its neighbors in the House since 2005, making him one of the most senior legislators in the chamber. He’s currently serving as vice-chair of the House Commerce Committee. This session, he successfully sought budget funding for a new courthouse in Hoke County.

Age: 69

What are the current and past jobs you’ve held outside of politics? Pastor of Bright Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church and UPS driver.

What lessons from those roles have you applied to your elected position? I could write a whole book on what being a UPS driver taught me and even more about what being a pastor has taught me. Most importantly my jobs have taught me to always be kind to others and to meet people where they are at.

If you could enact a single piece of legislation into law today, what would it be? I would enact legislation to expand Medicaid in our state. Scotland Memorial, Hoke Hospital and FirstHealth Hoke would all greatly benefit from that legislation almost overnight.

Where do you most enjoy taking an out-of-town visitor in your district? I’d take them on a walk through downtown Raeford, a visit to the John Blue Museum in Laurinburg, or grab them a two-piece snack from Nic’s Pic Kwik in Wagram.

What is your favorite hobby outside of work? There’s nothing I enjoy more than sharing a good laugh with friends and family.

Who do you most admire, and why? I most admire my wife, Mrs. Barbara Pierce, without her I would not have done nearly as much in this life.

What’s the best advice you’ve received about how to get legislation passed? Never make any assumptions about someone’s stance on legislation. Time and time again you can find unlikely allies when trying to get something across the finish line.