Nelsen for Education Campaign Blog

Recent Blog Posts

From the Desk of Jim DeMint

Dear Friend, I am incredibly thankful for the support that you have always shown me, from my first campaign for Congress in 1998 to my election as Senator of South Carolina in 2004. That’s why today, I’d like to introduce you to another man beginning his political career: my good friend, Brent Nelsen. Brent recently announced his [...]

by Nelsen for Education on November 17th, 2009

Reforming Schools

Recently I attended an education "summit" in Washington, D.C. hosted by former governor of Florida, Jeb Bush. The conference brought education reformers together from twenty states to discuss what works and what doesn't in efforts to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the United States. I was encouraged by what I heard. Schools [...]

by Brent Nelsen on October 26th, 2009

Back to School Choices

Like so many of you, I recently sent my children back to school. I sent one off to his second year of college. I sent another off to his junior year at Greenville High School. My oldest is off the hook: she graduated from Furman last year and got married this [...]

by Brent Nelsen on August 24th, 2009

Brent Nelsen to Run for State’s Top Education Job

For Immediate Release: July 28, 2009 Brent Nelsen to Run for State's Top Education Job Brent Nelsen said the state's weak public education system contributes as ‘public offender number one' to the state's struggling economy and record unemployment rate as he formally announced his bid for Superintendent of Education today. Nelsen, who has been traveling across the state [...]

by Nelsen for Education on July 28th, 2009

Nelsen announces for State Superintendent of Education

Dear Friends, As I have traveled the state on my Jobs for the Future Tour and met with community, political, education and business leaders, I have found one constant: to sustain a 21st century economy we must first produce a 21st century public education system. Throughout my exploratory phase I have been urged to consider running for [...]

by Nelsen for Education on July 28th, 2009

Creative Solutions for Health Care and Education

Creative solutions to difficult problems can be found in South Carolina. I found one on a recent trip to the Florence-Myrtle Beach area. Children in rural counties often have difficulty getting to a nurse or doctor for routine medical care-the kind of care that keeps you feeling good most days. Transportation is a big problem along [...]

by Brent Nelsen on July 8th, 2009

Optimism for Rural South Carolina

I returned this week from a three-day tour of Orangeburg, Bamburg, Barnwell and Allendale counties. These are not our state's most prosperous counties, and indeed I saw firsthand desperate poverty, abandoned factories, and schools in shameful disrepair. I also met many heroes who love their towns and their neighbors-people who are giving of [...]

by Brent Nelsen on June 27th, 2009

Statement Regarding New Unemployment Rate in SC

In response to the report released today which showed South Carolina's unemployment numbers continuing to rise, Brent Nelsen issued the following statement: "At what point do we agree that our current batch of politicians have failed when it comes to creating and retaining good jobs in the state? These latest unemployment numbers prove that we need [...]

by Brent Nelsen on June 19th, 2009

Quiet Innovation in Ware Shoals

Ware Shoals, sitting in three counties-Greenwood, Laurens and Abbeville-is typical of many small South Carolina towns. It was once a bustling community with a cotton mill looming high over neat homes with front porches, a company store, company-built churches, a company-provided community center and a baseball stadium. Five thousand people worked in the mill and [...]

by Brent Nelsen on June 18th, 2009

Colleton County - Opportunities and Challenges

During a recent visit to Colleton County, I had the chance to sit down with businessmen and educators to discuss their situations. We discussed the many opportunities and challenges found in rural counties, especially in regards to economic development and education. As in many other counties, the impact of the economic downturn is steadily taking hold. [...]

by Brent Nelsen on June 12th, 2009