Ernest Mackins

Ernest Mackins (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District. He lost in the Democratic primary on June 9, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Dr. Ernest Mackins, a US Army Veteran, Retired Educator with over 28 years of experience, and a local church pastor. I was also a retail store manager for 15 years. I am running for office because we need a candidate who is a true servant leader who truly cares about all people. We need people who will listen to the people and carry their voices and concerns to Washington, D.C. I am a servant leader with integrity and character who will stand up for business and for our community. I will address the issues of Rights For All (Women's Rights), Lowering the Cost of Living, Accountability and Opportunity, and Healthcare. I am highly educated, with eight degrees from schools including Furman University, Liberty University Theological Seminary, Clemson University, North Greenville University, and Converse University. I earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Converse University. So, "Mack Your Voice and Make Your Voice Heard!" Vote 🗳️ Mackins for US House of Representatives, District 3.

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?

RIGHTS FOR ALL(Women's Rights) not just the select few.ACCOUNTABILITY and OPPORTUNITY No

more wars. No meddling in the Middle

East. Transparency of spending and tax

budgets. IF we can find the money for

wars, we can find the money to help

Americans at homeHEALTHCARE FOR ALL: It has gotten too expensive. 30M Americans have no health coverage at all. At any time, any American can lose everything they have because they got sick. This should not happen in the richest country in the world. Medicare has healthcare coverage that covers less and less. We need healthcare for all because we already pay enough to cover this, as most industrialized countries have universal healthcare.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

COST OF LIVING IS TOO HIGH (Affordability) average first-time home buyer is now 40 years old. Rents are too high for anyone to save to buy their own homes. Grocery and gas prices are making it even more difficult to make ends meet. Now inflation has shot up to record highs, and the middle class is shrinking as salaries fail to keep up.

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

I look up to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the late Senator John McCain because these two gentlemen demonstrate the best of us as Americans, and they have good character. I also follow the example Jesus Christ left for us; He is the prime example. We need to have love for all people.

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

Character, Morals, Truth, Justice, and Integrity Matter!

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

The responsibilities of the elected official include following the will of the people (Constituents) who elect them and upholding the US Constitution. They need to listen more than they talk and then carry this information to Washington, D.C. Then the elected official needs to do what is in the best interest of all Americans.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave a legacy of character, integrity, and trust for future generations.

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

I worked at the Huddle House flipping burgers, where I learned the value of hard work and the importance of teamwork in achieving a set goal. I worked there for two years when I was in High School. I graduated and attended North Greenville College, where I served as Student Body President from 1991-1992.

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

I struggle with the fact that we are supposed to be the richest country in the world, and yet we can not even take care of all our people. Something is fundamentally wrong with this picture, and it needs to change, and I would like to be the one who does it.

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

Three main qualities make the House unique. The House of Representatives is supposed to be closest to the people. They have short election cycles and only serve two years in office. As a result, they are expected to adapt to changing constituents.

The population also plays a large role in representation in the House. Each state is represented in proportion to the number of people who live there. As a result, large states have more representatives than smaller states, unlike in the Senate. The Constitution grants them exclusive powers. Revenue/Tax Bills must originate in the House of Representatives. The House also reserves the power to impeach federal officials. There are 435 Members in the House. The House functions under a set of strict rules. Members must abide by the rules put forth by the Rules Committee. The House Rules Committee is known for strictly controlling debate on the floor.

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

The greatest challenge will be reducing the National Debt and student loan debt, which must be addressed if the United States is to survive and reclaim its leadership position in the world.

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

Compromise is necessary, but not at the expense of the American people. We have to make good policies for all Americans, not just a particular group. We are all Americans.

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

Tuesday, September 11, 2001 (9 11)

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Dr. Ernest E. Mackins, and I believe in traditional Christian values. My wife Erica and I have been married for 21 years, and we have two sons, Adrian and Travis. Adrian is in his first year of college, and Travis will attend high school this coming school year. I am an educated and experienced candidate who understands the value of someone who will speak up for the truth. I have spent the past 16 years in education and hold a Doctor of Professional Leadership in Education. I believe in the core values of character and integrity, which are often missing from the candidate who runs for office today. I am a true servant leader; I don't just talk; I walk the walk. I am running for this office because we need real change, and I will fight for that change. I am asking you for your vote because I believe I can win and bring dignity back to this office in the state of South Carolina. I know that I can not do it without your support, both financially as well physical support.

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?

Access to Health Care and Especially Women's Health CareTeacher Retention and Returning to Safe Working EnvironmentsStudent Loan Forgiveness and Environmental Protections

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about everyone having access to health care that are American citizens. I do not believe that health care should be tied to jobs where you may or may not have health insurance. Health care should not be a privilege, but it should be right for all American citizens. I am passionate about teachers and how we can retain teachers in the classroom. We need good teachers who are not run off by those who manage them. Instead, true leaders should seek to grow the teacher so that this growth can impact the student. I am passionate about student loan forgiveness because these students have attempted to make something of their lives. Yet they are shackled with debt because they can't find or get jobs that will compensate them for the cost of the degree. Something is wrong with this picture, especially when we can forgive businesses for billions of dollars of misappropriated funds. Yet, we can not help the most vulnerable of our generation trying to do right. It's time we became the America that we always talk about, but we can only do this if we work together. This means working for all the people in America.