Ashley Painter

Ashley Painter earned a bachelor's degree from Grand Canyon University in 2021. Painter's career experience includes working in social work.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Ashley Painter—a 32-year-old railroad wife, mother of two boys (Noah, 7, and Henry, 3), small business owner, and homemaker—running for South Carolina State House because working families deserve a real voice.

Before starting my business, I built my career in helping others. With a degree in sociology with an emphasis in social work, I served as a family therapist, worked in foster care and adoption services, and later, as a drug and alcohol counselor. I didn’t choose this path by accident—I lived it. I lived an adverse life, and entered foster care at 15, aged out at 18, and had to figure out life on my own. No safety net. No roadmap.

Everything changed when I built a family of my own. My husband and I have spent nearly a decade creating a life rooted in resilience, hard work, and unconditional love. That’s what drives me now.

I’m running for District 117 to fight for families who are doing everything right but still falling behind. My priorities are simple and urgent: affordable healthcare, safe and accessible childcare, real support for small businesses—not corporations—and protecting women’s lives and autonomy.

I will work to eliminate waste, demand accountability, and bring common-sense leadership back to Columbia. It’s time our government works for the people paying into it—not the powerful few.

If you want a representative focused on your family’s future—not political games or culture wars—I’m ready to serve.

Forward. Together.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

We urgently need access to healthcare. South Carolina, one of only ten states that hasn’t expanded Medicaid, and leaves children uninsured because of that. Despite widespread support for expansion, the state refuses to do so. Expanding Medicaid will force private healthcare companies to lower their rates, expand their covered services, and better serve their clients. This will happen without any tax increases, as the state already has the funds. Instead, these funds are being wasted on extravagant political spending and paying private school tuition with taxpayer dollars., among other things,The cost of living is insane. Our current leadership, including my opponent, is focused on culture war issues, instead of making sure that people can afford their energy bills, and food. Corporations receive hundreds of millions in tax incentives per year, while the loss of those taxes impacts our local infrastructure and also, hurts local small businesses who pay more in taxes than billionaires. I want small businesses rewarded for their contributions to the economy. I want families able to buy enough food for their children and still have money left over to prepare for emergencies. We aren't getting that right now. It needs to change.The culture war on women's reproductive rights has gone far enough. My opponent wants women executed for accessing reproductive care (3537). He co-sponors a bill (3457) that will force women and children to carry out pregnancies conceived by rape, and incest, against their will. I say, enough is enough. Statistics show that in South Carolina, there are at least 8 reported rapes per day. Many of which happen to children, by older family members. My message on this is simple: Women and children who have been raped deserve the right to make their own decision on whether or not to carry on a pregnancy that happens as a result of that rape. The State, nor the government, has any right to be involved in that decision.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Child welfare and family protection is where I am most passionate. I feel like there are also so many areas of policy that fall under this umbrella, too. Families need support systems in place to prevent catastrophe- not just react to it, as we are now. As an adult survivor of child abuse, and a graduate and professional in the social work and helping field, I understand the complex needs that families and children have. I know how to identify gaps in services, and make plans to address them. I understand the important role that policy has in setting families and children up to either succeed, or fail. Right now, South Carolina is setting families and children up to fail, and it's time for real change.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

No one. I've never been someone who idolizes anyone. Instead, I take bits and pieces from everyone who displays characteristics that I like, and that align with my worldview, and I remember those traits. Not one single person on this earth is perfect, or even close to it. We are human.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

High ethical standards, non-biased, open minded, lifelong learner.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To serve the people and not your personal agenda.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to be remembered as the woman who had all of the odds stacked against her, but never stopped fighting for meaningful change.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Cashier at a grocery market!

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Fighting for families and children who are victims, while I myself, am also a victim. I have to keep my thoughts centered. I need to remind myself that my childhood is over, and that this is my chance to help future generations of families and children from repeating the cycle of abuse.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

I believe the governor and legislature should work together—but not blindly. The legislature exists to represent the people, ask tough questions, and make sure every decision is transparent and responsible.

We don’t need more political theater or rubber-stamping. We need leaders who are willing to collaborate when it makes sense and push back when it doesn’t. At the end of the day, every decision should be about what actually works for families in South Carolina.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Both parties coming to an agreement on how to fix the roads, as well as solve the cost of living crisis. Donald Trump has created a divide so deep, that I believe it will take several years, and great leadership from subsequent presidents and politicians, to heal that divide.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes I do. We must always be willing to compromise as long as those compromises do not result in the oppression of others. Lawmakers who refuse to compromise should not be in the State House.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Run for Something

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

9/11/2001- I was 8 years old. I had a doctor appointment on this day, and lived in Pennsylvania, about two hours from where Flight 93 went down. Schools all over sent students home.