Mark Lynch, owner of Jeff Lynch Appliance Center, announced his campaign on March 10 for South Carolina Senate District 12, which covers residents in both Greenville and Spartanburg counties.

After being approached by many people in his life to run for office, Lynch decided it was time.

“As a businessman and political outsider, I have a great deal of experience in running a successful, first-class, complex business here at Jeff Lynch Appliance Center,” said Lynch. “We haven’t broke budgets. We are a debt-free company, and I’m debt free in my personal life. I never saw this [running for office] coming and never had political ambitions. It is not something I want to do. I have been called to do it.”

Lynch is focusing his campaign as Christian conservative Republican state senate candidate around God, family and country. He also said that he is seeking to restore integrity to the seat because his opponent, Scott Talley, told voters he would vote against the gas tax before he voted for it.

“People need integrity in this district,” Lynch said. “If I was going to vote yes for the gas tax hike, I would tell you [the constituents] I would vote yes for it. I wouldn’t lie to you. If I mess up, I would say I messed up and I would try to undo it and ask for forgiveness. I just want to bring truth back to the Senate and hold people accountable. [I want to] be the voice of truth there and get God’s principles back.”

In addition to focusing on integrity, Lynch said if elected he would check on repealing the gas tax, finding ways to increase the pay of public school teachers and create a tax credit for parents who send their children to private schools.

Lynch will face off against incumbent Scott Talley in the Republican primary on June 9.

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