SC State House District 121: Eric Erickson supports abortion exceptions and green space

Eric Erickson says he “can’t imagine” his daughter or sister having to carry a baby conceived from rape or incest without a choice.

Erickson, an attorney, is the Republican running for the South Carolina State House in District 121, which includes Fripp Island and areas north of Beaufort.

Erickson has a juris doctorate from Western Michigan University and a bachelor of Arts degree from Washington State University.

He’s never held office before, but this is his second time running for the District 121 seat. He faces incumbent Democrat Michael Rivers.

The Island Packet sent questionnaires to all candidates in contested races. Candidates were asked to keep their responses to 150 words per question.

Here are Erickson’s answers:

What are your top issues this campaign?

The economy and inflation, housing, roads and bridges, abortion, the budget surplus of 4.6 billion.

What issues affecting the district will be addressed in the next legislative session?

All of the above.

Should the state use public money to create educational scholarship accounts to allow parents to send their children to private schools?

Yes, as this would equal the playing field for low-income families to have a better choice in the schools that they send their children to. This would also create an incentive for “failing” schools to do better.

Should South Carolina ban abortion? What exceptions, if any, should there be for an abortion ban?

No, S.C. should not ban abortion. The Republican Party is split on this issue with some Republicans who would favor a complete ban on abortion and others favoring some exceptions, such as life of the mother, rape, incest and fetal anomaly. I certainly could not imagine my daughter or sister carrying to term a baby that was conceived through rape or incest and not having a choice in the matter.

Also on the ballot for voters in Beaufort County is the green space sales tax referendum. Do you support the statewide effort to fund conservation efforts with sales taxes?

Yes, I support the County Green Space Sales Tax Act of 2022 program spearheaded by state Sen. Tom Davis, which empowers counties to undertake land preservation efforts. The voters should vote on Nov. 8th for this extra 1% sales tax that will sunset after two years after collecting $100 million. The program will preserve open space, protect critical and natural resources and provide land for recreation and allows for the purchase of development rights and fee simple interests in land.

Is there anything that can be done at the state level to address the affordable housing shortage in the Lowcountry?

Yes, the state of South Carolina Housing Trust Fund Act (HTF) provides financial assistance to qualified organizations and local governments in the construction and rehab of affordable housing for low-income households throughout the state. That legislation allocated a portion of the state stamp tax on property transactions of 20 cents per $500 in valuation to be placed in a dedicated account for HTF. The state treasurer serves as the fund’s trustee. All properties must remain affordable for low-income households for 20 years to ensure that this program serves its public purpose. A low-income household is defined as earning 80% or less of area median income.