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On October 2, 2025, South Carolina State Representative Joe White from Newberry posted on Facebook that he would be posting several articles over the next few days about why he decided to enter politics at 75 years old, his first campaign, his first year experience, waste, fraud, corruption, and his plea to South Carolina citizens. He resolutely stated, “Tune in or tune out. The choice is yours.”

Representative White did not disappoint.

While each of his posts were very powerful, I want to highlight the last two about lobbyist power and the loss of oversight.

My First Taste of Lobbyist Power

Published on October 4, 2025 by Representative Joe White

On November 29, 2022, I walked into the South Carolina Statehouse as an elected representative for the very first time.

Along with 26 other new legislators, I began what they call “freshman orientation.” It was a full day and a half of paperwork, and procedures–signing forms for health insurance, filling out disclosures, listening to lectures, and being briefed on the ethics rules we were supposed to uphold.

It was also our first introduction to the House leadership, the staff, and the official responsibilities of serving as a legislator. Everything seemed straightforward enough–until the very end.

On November 30, we were told that a “special treat” awaited us. State vehicles were waiting, or we could drive ourselves to Williams-Brice Stadium, home of the South Carolina Gamecocks. I had been there many times before, but I was not prepared for what came next.

When I arrived, I was greeted by cheerleaders, trustees of the University of South Carolina, the university’s president, and even Cocky, the school’s mascot.

Nice music from a live ensemble played, as food and beverage were provided. So many different “important people” patted me on my back as they told me how wonderful I was. “How great that you stepped up to serve,” they said. “We’re looking forward to working with you.”

Then came the finale. The lights in Willie B were lowered. The Jumbotron lit up.

One by one, the faces of each new legislator filled the screen as dramatic movie music played over the stadium speakers.

At 76 years of age, after a long life of raising a family, starting and running a business for 35 years, and faithfully serving my community and my church, I was not impressed!

Frankly, it made me want to throw up!

My worth will never come from being elected to public office. My worth is in my integrity, my courage, and my commitment to doing what is right–not in being elected to office and then being treated like a celebrity by lobbyists.

Unfortunately, I did notice that evening that some of my fellow freshmen were eating it up, literally and figuratively. They were enjoying the food, the wine, the flattery. You could see it in their faces: they were starting to believe the lobbyists who told them how important they were. They were beginning to feel powerful, and they hadn’t even been sworn in yet!

That night was my first look at how lobbyists and special interests get their hooks into new legislators. They don’t start with policy papers. They don’t start with bills. They start by appealing to ego–making you feel important, making you feel special, making you feel like you owe them something. They pretend that you are powerful, knowing full well that they in fact are the power. They have the money–the budget to use to get you to do what they want. You are simply a pawn on their chessboard.

And it works!

Some legislators were already turning before they had ever taken a single vote. Whatever USC wants, USC shall certainly get from them!

I share this story because it should be repugnant to every voting citizen in South Carolina. We are supposed to elect men and women who represent us. We are supposed to be governed “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” but too often, the lobbyists and special interests use their power, their money, and their carefully staged spectacles to bend legislators to their will before the first gavel ever falls.

This was my first experience with the influence of special interests in Columbia, and I can tell you this: it is real, it is powerful, and it is a danger to the people’s governance.

There are over 3,000 registered lobbyists at our South Carolina Statehouse–each with an agenda. Come down to the Statehouse some day when we are in session. Observe for yourself. Better yet come down to the clubs and restaurants near the statehouse on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening while we are in session and see how much money is being spent to buy your representative’s vote.

I’d rather hear from 5 constituents in District 40 than any of them.

A side note: (just my opinion)

Ever wonder why we can’t seem to get good insurance and good insurance rates? Ever wonder how our judicial system seems to favor criminals instead of victims?

Two of the most powerful and well-funded groups are insurance interests and lawyers. Many of our legislative impasses are because the legislation could favor one of those over the other. (think Tort reform)

Oversight Lost–Why South Carolina Taxpayers Keep Paying the Price

Published on October 5, 2025 by Representative Joe White

As I sat in a meeting discussing the best use of $1.8 million by a government entity, a legislator with more than 20 years of service asked, “Representative, why are you so concerned about this $1.8 million? We’re responsible for a $14.5 billion budget.”

I replied, “100 here, 100 there, 1,000 here, 1,000 there, a million here, a million there–eventually, it adds up to real money, real, hard earned, taxpayer/constituent money, and I believe we have a fiduciary responsibility to guard it.”

In March 2023, the South Carolina House of Representatives voted to incentivize Volkswagen, doing business under the name of Scout Motors, to locate an electric vehicle plant in South Carolina.

During the debate, I asked a few simple questions:

“Do you know how long it normally takes to do “due diligence” on a project of this magnitude”?

“Eighteen to twenty-four months” I answered my own question when the bill’s proponent said he didn’t know.

“How long have we known Scout was looking for a site?”

“Since December.” was his reply.

Less than 3 months. Three months of knowing, no due diligence, no completed studies, no public transparency.

Then I asked, “Do you know how many miles of two-lane asphalt road we could resurface with $1.3 billion?”

“No, but I guess you’re about to tell me.” was his response.

“3,500 miles.”

The House approved the deal 100-12. I voted with the minority, not because the project was/is necessarily bad, but because we did not have enough information to make an informed decision.

Oversight and accountability should not be partisan. Our constitutional duty is to ask; Are the laws we pass being enforced? Are the judges we elect making honorable, unbiased decisions? Is the money we appropriate being used wisely AND ONLY for the purpose intended? When we stop asking those questions, corruption and waste follow, EVERY TIME!

In 1989, Operation Lost Trust exposed legislators who were bribed and bought. In 2016, the “Quindom” scandal brought down a Speaker of the House and four others. The pattern hasn’t stopped; it has just evolved.

I have no reason to believe that Columbia developer, Bill Stern is anything other than a successful businessman but the scale of his dealings with the state–and his influence as chairman of the powerful South Carolina Ports Authority demands scrutiny.

Over the last dozen years, Mr. Stern has built a real estate empire intertwined with state decisions:

The State Farmer’s Market was moved to land he purchased just two years before the state decided it needed to move from downtown to his land.

The Department of Natural Resources has relocated to the same site.

The Department of Education left its state-owned 900,000 square foot building on Pendleton Street for a 600,000 square foot building built by Stern and leased back to the state on a 20-year triple net lease.

Most recently, the Department of Health reorganization conveniently led to a 20-year triple net lease in the old SCANA facility, a property Mr. Stern had under contract pending approval of that very move.

Mr. Stern and his wife also chaired Governor McMaster’s inaugural committees in both 2019 and 2023–positions of significant influence. These facts do not prove corruption, but they scream for oversight.

When government fails to oversee itself, it costs the people billons:

$9 billion disappeared in the V. C. Summer nuclear debacle.

$1.1 billion was wasted in the failed Carolina Panther facility in Rock Hill.

Billions more may have been squandered by the Ports Authority through poor management.

For thirty years, we have been told we are going to get our roads fixed. That road money seems to always pave someone else’s pocket.

South Carolina does not have a revenue problem. We have a RESPONSIBILITY problem. We elect representatives, not to rubber stamp billion-dollar deals, but to protect the taxpayers who have to pay for those deals.

Oversight is not glamorous, but it is sacred! When legislators shrug at $1.8 million because “we manage $14 billion,” it’s no wonder the public has “Lost Trust.”

It’s not about the money. It’s about integrity, stewardship, and restoring trust in a government that belongs to the people–not the insiders who profit from it.

Tomorrow, I will issue my earnest plea to South Carolina citizens to join me as you play your part in fixing our democratic republic.

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Representative White’s articles show just how susceptible our government officials are when it comes to power and influence. Many times, it doesn’t even take money. Other times, there are financial incentives. I have written many times about Bill Stern, one of the largest benefactors in SC politics. Check out his connections to two of the most powerful players in South Carolina—Attorney General Alan Wilson and Governor Henry McMaster—as well as Stern’s huge payday from the SC legislature HERE.

It is imperative that we elect representatives that actually have an unbendable backbone. It’s easy to make the campaign promise that you will not bend in Columbia, but for most it’s just a matter of time. So many South Carolinians go in to the statehouse with good intentions but are almost immediately compromised and they don’t even realize it. Words are cheap, liquor is sweet, and power is corrupting.

To read White’s plea to South Carolinians, click HERE.