Jay Kilmartin

Jay Kilmartin was born in Fort Myers, Florida, and lives in Columbia, South Carolina. Kilmartin earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida in 1996. His career experience includes owning The Melting Pot Restaurant, The Cigar Militia, and Spork Cafe.[1][2][3]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I own and operate three small businesses: The Melting Pot of Columbia, The Melting Pot of Greenville and the Cigar Militia in Columbia. I have been a conservative activist for many years helping candidates and being involved in many issues. After much prayer with my wife, Elizabeth, we decided to enter the Republican Primary for state house to replace retiring State Rep. Chip Huggins. District 85 encompasses most of Chapin and Irmo in Lexington County.

Elizabeth and I have two children. Our son Ian serves in the United States Coast Guard and our daughter Rhys attends Southeastern University, a Christian college in Lakeland, FL. We attend River Bend Community Church where I am a bassist in the band. Elizabeth spends her extra time as a sidewalk counselor for A Moment of Hope outside of Planned Parenthood, where she advocates for women to choose life. Elizabeth also volunteers at our church.

I am the conservative candidate in this election and I have the history to prove it.

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?

Conservative OutsiderBusinessmanConstiutional Conservative

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am 100% pro-life. With Roe v. Wade poised to be overturned, there is no reason that South Carolina shouldn't outlaw abortion immediately.

In 2020, I spoke on the state house steps to end the lockdowns. Our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness doesn't end due to a pandemic. Citizens including students should never be forced to wear masks.

I believe in healthcare freedom. Nobody should be forced to take a vaccine to make a living and go about their every day lives. I believe South Carolina should give citizens the right to try medications that are proven to work.

I am a gun owner and I believe in the second amendment. I will immediately sign on to constitutional carry legislation upon being elected.

I am for school choice and parental rights. Parents are in charge of their child's education, not the government. Marxist Critical Race Theory has no place in South Carolina public schools. Gender Theory and sexualization of classrooms must not be entertained into South Carolina public schools.

I will sign on to term limits legislation upon being elected and crony capitalism must end in South Carolina.

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

My top political influences are President Donald J. Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Rand Paul, Fmr. Congressman Ron Paul, Congressman Thomas Massie, State Rep. Josiah Magnuson and State Rep. RJ May.

These are effective, bold conservatives and that is who I will be. I am running for state house to serve the people of Chapin and Irmo, not to make big shot friends. I have enough friends to last many lifetimes. I am going to Columbia to make a difference.

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

The Bible

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

Conservatism, liberty, freedom, constitutionalism, transparency, constituent services, ethics and honesty.

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

I have given my time and finances not only politically but to volunteerism in many different areas.

I have hosted dinners and lunches for law enforcement. Recently, I helped lead a group of people in our neighborhood to restore and clean up an African-American cemetery. I have given my time and finances every year for many years towards pro-life ministries. I have been involved in many community projects

Up until this point in time, I have always been someone who works and accomplishes things behind the scenes. In this important time in our community, state and country's history, I prayed about it and decided it is time to be involved on the front lines. I have leveraged the many great friendships I have forged to build a strong campaign for state house.

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

Fighting for conservative principles, getting those principles done and constituent services.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible. It encapsulates everything I work for in my life.

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

Mike Baxter of "Last Man Standing."

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

Freewill by Rush

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

The ideal relationship between the governor and legislature would be everybody working together to accomplish the most conservative policies. The governor should show strong leadership but the legislature should always be the check and balance necessary. For example, the legislature should have taken to charge to ensure that the governor cannot declare a never ending state of emergency.

A place where we can empower the governor is to rid ourselves of our antiquated judicial selection system. Our system could only be dreamed up by a legislature full of attorneys. We must move to a system where the governor appoints judicial nominees and the legislature votes on whether or not to approve the nominees.

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

We must get ahead of the agenda of the radical left. Instead of just responding to our many crises, South Carolina must get out in front like Florida has done. Issues that the general public may have not caught up to yet are The Great Reset and Environmental Social Governance (ESG). Government ventures with corporations are a form of Fascism and must be stamped out. We must end the legislature's crony capitalism objectives.

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

One benefit would be that important legislation could be move through in a more timely manner.

The founders of our country and state correctly thought there should be bicameral legislatures to make the process of passing legislation rigorous and so officials represent different constituents. I support keeping things bicameral.

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

I believe that your different life experiences can make a difference. Even so, a prospective legislator should have the fight and the knowledge to get things done.

I know that as a small businessman who has dealt with government red tape and advocated for other small businesses, I am uniquely qualified to deal with the issues facing our state. It is also a plus that I have gotten to know our elected officials and have been involved in political activism for many years.

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

Although we all have different ideologies in some way, it is important to build relationships to do what is best for our constituents. Personal conflicts should not determine whether good legislation gets passed in South Carolina.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

The process of redistricting committees in the state house to draw the lines is the correct way to go. Unfortunately, the legislature does at times draw boundaries that do not make sense and sometimes they will strong legislators out of districts because leadership deems them to be a nuisance. That is the way it goes sometimes.

Left-wing activist judges should stay out of our state's sovereignty to draw districts.

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

Education and Public Works, Ethics, Legislative Oversight, Labor, Commerce and Industry, Legislative Oversight, Regulations and Administrative Procedures and Ways and Means are all desirable to me.

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

I am not a current legislator.

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

There are a few. Josiah Magnuson of Spartanburg and RJ May and Ryan McCabe of right here in Lexington County. They are strong conservatives who are bold, get things done and their constituents award them for it.

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

No.

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?

While knocking on doors, I met a firefighter during Emergency Medical Services week honoring First Responders.

John has served our community with heroism. He gave me his support a gave me a keepsake I will always cherish - his fire helmet that has suffered severe damage from his heroics running into dire circumstances.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Joe Biden is the president of the United States.

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

The governor should have the power to declare emergencies. However, the governor should not be able to continuously roll over emergency powers. The legislature must act to require legislative oversight after the original 15-day period has passed.

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

Compromise must happen sometimes. South Carolina has Republican supermajorities in the legislature. Far too often the compromise is happening from a liberal perspective. With heavily Republican control, the compromise needs to happen on the conservative side of things.