61 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com Pop Quiz: Who represents Mount Pleasant and only Mount Pleasant in the South Carolina House of Representatives? Answer: No one. That’s right. There has never been an elected representative to our state government from Mount Pleasant who is solely focused on the needs of our rapidly expanding town—until now. Based on census data, a reapportionment has resulted in the creation of a single district, District 80, to serve Mount Pleasant. The question is, who will step up to stake a claim on such a new and untested electoral territory? One candidate whose hat is already in the ring is Chris Staubes, an attorney, lifelong resident of the Lowcountry, married father of three and communityminded aspirant. The House-hopeful has already served the town and its residents in several capacities in unknowing preparation for his next step. A graduate of Wofford College and the University of South Carolina School of Law, Staubes settled in Mount Pleasant with his wife Tanya to raise their family. They have lived in communities from Belle Hall to Dunes West. Then, in 2014, he won a seat on the Charleston County School Board, representing Mount Pleasant. “I didn’t squander my time in office,” he said. “I made it my priority to quickly build relationships with the other board members to make sure that Mount Pleasant’s children received the resources they needed and to see that our tax dollars were wisely spent.” He takes particular pride in the roles he played in the backing and building of the new Charleston Country School District stadium for District 2, and in securing funding for Lucy Beckham High School. After completing his term on the school board, Growth and Progress New District 80 Breeds New Political Contenders BY B I L L FARLEY feature
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