Batesburg-Leesville, SC 05/09/2024 (Paul Kirby) – Republican Carlisle Kennedy is running for SC Senate District 23 challenging incumbent Senator Katrina Shealy in the June 11th Republican Primary. Whoever wins that election will advance to the General Election in November.
Carlisle is 35 years old and is married to Brooke Doolittle Kennedy formerly of Prosperity, SC. They now live in the Lexington area of the County. He and his wife are currently expecting their first child. They are devout Christians, and he is 100% Pro Life.
Carlisle is a practicing attorney who works with his father at the Kennedy Law Firm in Batesburg-Leesville. They refer to what they do as small-town law but basically, it’s personal injury, wills, contracts, and other business law. Carlisle said recently, “We’ll do some very basic criminal defense if one of our long-term customers needs us. If someone we don’t know or haven’t worked with walks through the door needing a criminal defense attorney, we usually refer them out to someone else who specializes in that.”
Both Carlisle and his father Ralph have been assistant prosecutors in the 11th Judicial Circuit. Carlisle worked under the current Solicitor Rick Hubbard and Ralph worked under the legendary Donnie Myers. When you meet and take the time to talk to Carlisle, you’ll see that he is still a prosecutor at heart. He still fights to help protect the public from people who have wronged or hurt them in some way every day.
Although Carlisle has never run for public office before, you can’t really say he is a complete newcomer to politics. While studying at Clemson University, he ran for student body president and served in that office during the 2011/2012 school year. At Clemson, he earned a BS in finance and an MBA in business. After graduating, he started a small tech business before going into wealth management. He later returned to school at the University of South Carolina where he earned his degree in law.
The Kennedy family has a 250-year history in and around Lexington County, Edgefield County, and Saluda Counties. You can trace them all the way back to his great ancestor Josiah Padgett who was born in 1750. He fought in the revolutionary war with the Butler Company of the SC Militia. Many of his remaining ancestors have also had a history of military service over the years. “Our family has always been big on service to others,” Carlisle said. “Whether it’s been in the military, as a part of the Solicitors office, in political office, or as attorneys, we’ve always tried to help our neighbors throughout the family’s history. As my forefathers have done over the last 200 plus years, I fight for my people. If elected, it will just give me the opportunity to fight for more of my friends and neighbors.”
When asked why he decided to run against Senator Shealy for District 23, Carlisle said, “I don’t believe she is a true Conservative, and her voting record reflects that. When you look at her voting record closely, you’ll see she often gets away from true Conservative principles and votes like a moderate Liberal.”
As an example of Senator Shealy’s sometimes Liberal position, Carlisle pointed out that in 2023, she was one of five Senators from South Carolina who was presented with the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award. On their website it reads, “In an atmosphere of overwhelming polarization, the only women in the South Carolina Senate – three Republican, one independent, and one Democrat – formed an unlikely coalition to protect abortion rights in their state. In April 2023, Senators Katrina Shealy (R), Margie Bright Matthews (D), Mia McLeod (I), Sandy Senn (R), and Penry Gustafson (R) held a two-day filibuster to block a near-total abortion ban in South Carolina.”
Carlisle says the main difference between he and Senator Shealy is that he sticks with his Conservative ideals all the time. On his website he writes that he advocates for, “border security, upholding the rule of law, safeguarding children, advocating for quality education and parental rights, improving infrastructure, and addressing the income and inflation challenges we face today.”
“Our state government is no longer effective, and there’s a lot of government overreach that needs to be reigned in. I believe that smaller government is a more effective government,” he said. “Both legislative branches of our state’s government are held by strong Republican majorities as is the Governor’s Office. They should have no problem passing good, clean legislation that stays 100% true to our Conservative principles. I have the integrity to stick to my Conservative ideals in all votes that are taken.”
On his campaign website, Carlisle explains in clear detail exactly why he’s running for a job that pays very little and takes so much time. Serving in the legislature impacts the elected official’s loved ones, adds more responsibility to a personal schedule that is already packed with family life, church life, and work. Carlisle takes those work responsibilities seriously and feels in all cases that he’s helping his friends and neighbors, not just clients. In business, he is often working through some very difficult challenges with clients as they navigate through legal problems like personal injury cases that cause clients not to be able to work or spend quality time with their family.
In answer to that question he writes, “These last 4 years have seen unthinkable things and terrible policy decisions made by the entrenched politicians. As a Conservative Republican, I’m deeply concerned about the direction we’re heading. Misguided policies, attacks on the traditional values we share, erosion of Constitutional rights and disregard for our cherished liberties – the need for change is evident.”
He goes on to say, “As a criminal prosecutor in Lexington County, I witnessed the devastating impact of crime on individuals, families, and communities. I’ve seen the scourge of dangerous drugs brought across the border right here in Lexington. We need common sense leadership that backs law enforcement, prioritizes infrastructure before growth, provides workforce development that promotes prosperity, and safeguards the traditional values that make Lexington County great.”
It’s evident that concerns about his growing family rank high on his list of priorities. When a parent is expecting their first child, they begin to see the importance of how our county, state, and nation are run. Few fully understand that the leaders of government today are making decisions that can affect your child as he or she gets older and grows into an adult.
He explains this on his website by saying, “With my wife and I expecting our first child, our prayers have finally been answered. With a baby on the way, the stakes for me are personally higher than ever. I’m running to safeguard the freedoms and rights we cherish today for the sake of our unborn child and all future generations,” he continues. He further states that “I want my child raised right here in this community that I love. That’s why I’m committed to preserving and protecting our home, our way of life, not just for today but for decades to come.”
Carlisle continues by pointing out that there is work to be done now that is urgent. He goes on to say, “As is true with many political positions, we need new political leadership when times demand it. That time is now! We need someone who is in touch and will work with all the citizens across the County; someone who is personally invested in the future and well-being of our community.”
“Born and raised right here, I have experience in business, financials, and law – I am offering my talents to work for you to renew the Senate’s commitment to the Republican platform, reform Government and restore trust and confidence in this elected position and repair our infrastructure and roads. My phone will always be available, and my door will always be open to you,” he concluded.
On June 11th, Carlisle Kennedy would be proud to have your vote for SC Senate District 23. You can learn more about him at www.votecarlislekennedy.com. You can also call him on his mobile phone at (803) 315-0776.
