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Daniel Shrief

DemocraticFirst-time candidate

Insurance

Daniel Shrief is a Democratic candidate for U.S. House South Carolina District 2 in the 2026 election. This is their first run for office.

From the candidate’s public filings

Background

Daniel Shrief was born in Chicago, Illinois. He served in the U.S. Army from 1982 to 1991. Shrief earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina, Columbia in 1987. His career experience includes working in insurance.[1]

Bachelor's:
University of South Carolina, Columbia, 1987

Campaign money

Raised
$0
From individuals
$0
From PACs & party
$0
Own money
—

FEC filings.

View on FEC.gov(opens in new tab)

Campaign themes

Daniel Shrief did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

United States Army veteran served three years active duty ft. Jackson South Carolina basic training in November 1982 then sent to the naval technical training center Cory station Pensacola Florida I was trained as a 05k10 Morse code cryptologist from there I was sent to Camp page Chunchon South Korea I was up on the Demilitarized zone for one year inside the DMZ patrolling after my year in Korea I was sent to conus military intelligence group Ft. Meade Maryland for one year I had a top secret security clearance compartmented sensitive information. After the three year active duty I was in the army reserve I was in a intelligence unit in Aiken South Carolina then I transferred to the 360 civil affairs brigade in Columbia South Carolina I was the intelligence analyst for the 360th civil affairs brigade I spent my summers at Ft. Bragg North Carolina I was trained as a 97 Echo interrogator with an Arabic language qualification I qualified for the warrant officer flight school program. But decided to go into the insurance business after my six years of army reserves . I completed my college education at the university of South Carolina with a bachelors degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis on business. I’m a published author of my book the modern writings of Daniel j. Shrief. I’m trying to earn money from my book to help single mothers feed their children. I did a lot of military intelligence schools and work at the National security agency for one year at Mead

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?

I want to help people in my districtI’m a pro Israeli politician who is going to try to help feed impoverished childrenI want to be in Washington working hard for our government and represent South Carolina district 2 with the highest of standards

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Healthcare education and helping with food security for children. Supporting law enforcement.

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

Winston Churchill

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The modern writings of Daniel j. Shrief

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

Hard work and loyalty

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I’m a man of action hard working energetic creative and very respectful of others.

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

Loyal representation of my district being motivated to go the extra mile for my constituents ( people)

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I helped people especially children world wide that’s my goal helping children .

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was 25 I was in an elevator the space shuttle exploded 1986 . The elevator was at the university of South Carolina. I forgot the building

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

I remember I shoveled snow during the long cold winters of our country .

What is your favorite book? Why?

The modern writings of Daniel j. Shrief I think it’s entertaining and fun.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Dracula

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

LA woman the Doors

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

Life is a struggle you have to be positive and overcome any obstacle to be able to say you conquered all your obstacles in your life..

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The power of debate and historical coexistence that has made the United States great

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No not necessarily a serious elected representative will learn and work hard and obtain experience.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Controlling the influx of illegal immigrants getting our fuel consumption under control streamlining the military. Making sure our children are fed. And getting pollution under control and bringing the rouge nations into peaceful prosperity. Try to make other countries prosperous and safe so there populations don’t want to flee to the United States.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I one hundred percent support term limits it’s very important.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Floyd Spence

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Just my own life story of dealing with senior citizens all over the state of South Carolina trying to help them save money on their insurance products and being part of their families trials and tribulations and going with some of them to their church services and social functions you learn a lot about people and their lives.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I really don’t have a favorite joke . I’ve seen a lot of funny things through out my life’s travels.

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

Absolutely

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

The same role of any house representative I will be extremely proud to be part of this responsibility and do my best to work with the other representatives to make the right decisions.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

To really try to get to the bottom of the problems we have in this country today which will be beneficial to the future of our country if we can investigate and find a fix to these specific investigated problems

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I’m not sure to be honest with you but i hope to get some endorsements.

What committees interest you?

The armed forces committee . And the committee on food security not only for our country but for the world.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

We have to really take serious measures to stop fraud waste and abuse

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a disabled American Veteran with active service on the DMZ in Korea followed by six years service in the US Army Reserves. A graduate of USC in Columbia, SC , I have been a life and health insurance agent for several years. While still active in the insurance business, I am also a part time writer and am publishing a book, "The modern writings of Daniel J Shrief". I will be donating all proceeds from the book to children's charities in S.C. My inspiration comes from the late chairman of the Democratic party of S.C., Don Fowler and democratic donor and activist Paul Newman, as well as my parents, USA citizens born in Israel and residents of SC.

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?

I have no intention of being a status quo politician.My only concern is to represent the concerns and values of the people in my district.A seat in the state house would not belong to me, but to my district

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My greatest passion is finding a way to address the level of poverty I see affecting the children in our schools. Outside of school I think too many of them are not getting enough to eat, quality medical care, housing and clothing. I would like to see after school and summer programs for the kids staffed by educators and parents as well.

As well many teachers leave the field because of disciplinary problems with the kids, especially from single parent families. This problem must be approached. Raising the salaries of qualified teachers would be a big help, but that is only part of the problem. Promoting community action would then be key.

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

Nikki Haley, recent SC Governor. She not only achieved so much as a woman governor, but was not over partisan. I especially admired the way she handled the Emanuel Episcopal Church shooting

crises in Charleston in 1915.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT POLITICS BUT DON'T by JESSAMYN CONRAD

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

HONESTY AND HARD WORK ALONG WITH DEVOTION TO HIS COMMUNITY.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

HARD WORKING WITH A DESIRE TO HELP MY COMMUNITY

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

BE 100% AVAILABLE AND RESPONSIBLE TO CONSTITUENTS.

What legacy would you like to leave?

PHILANTHROPIST

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

In 1986 while in an elevator at USC I learned that the space shuttle Challenger blew up. I was 25.

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

In high school, ninth grader, worked in restaurant as bus boy and dish washer for six months

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

EYE OF THE TIGER

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

FINDING A PUBLISHER FOR MY BOOK.

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

BIPARTISANSHIP!

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

INFRASTRUCTURE

PUBLIC EDUATION

BEACH EROSION

NURSING HOME COSTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

UNEMPLOYMENT

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

WHIILE A UNICAMERAL STATE LEGISLATURE CAN BE SEEN AS MORE ECONOMICAL PER

NEBRASKA, I AM IN FAVOR OF A BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE

IMPORTANCE OF A FULL SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

NOT NECESSARILY. WHILE IT CAN BE, I OPPOSE THE IDEA OF CAREER POLITICIANS AND THINK

THAT ALL OFFICES FEDERAL AND STATE SHOULD HAVE TERM LIMITS.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

OF COURSE. HOW COULD OPEN COMMUNICATION BE ANYTHING BUT BENEFICIAL.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

A HYBRID STATE WHERE THE LEGISLATURE SHARES AUTHORITY WITH A COMMISSION. THIS HELPS IN THE REDUCTION OF GERRYMANDERING.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

FAMILY AND VETERANS SERVICES

FISH GAME AND FORESTRY

BANKING AND INSURANCE

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

NA

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

FLOYD SPENCE

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

YES

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

RECENTLY AN ELDERLY LADY I TALKED TO IN A SUPERMARKET TOLD ME ABOUT HER SON BEING

ON A WAITING LIST FOR A LIVER TRANSPLANT AND HOW IMPORTANT IT HAD BEEN FOR HIM TO GET THE SURGERY SOON TO SURVIVE, AND HE DID. BUT THE WOMAN EXPAINED THAT HER CHURCH AND COMMUNITY WHO PRAYED SO HARD MADE THIS POSSIBLE AS WELL AS FINDING

FINANCIAL AID FOR AN EXPENSIVE FOLLOW UP DRUG. WHAT MADE THIS IMPACTFUL WAS HER TOTAL FAITH THAT PRAYER WAS THE INSTRUMENT IN THIS.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

YES!

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

YES!

On the 2026 ballot

Links

Compiled from the candidate’s published profile as of September 30, 2026 and FEC filings.

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