Protecting the planet in Congress: Where Upstate candidates stand on climate change

In 2023, Earth experienced its warmest year since 1850, when modern record-keeping of temperature began.

It wasn't an isolated incident. The 10 warmest years in modern history have all occurred within the last decade, according to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Scientists attribute the changes to human activity, such as the release of carbon dioxide and other gasses that trap heat in the atmosphere called greenhouse gasses.

It's an issue that has the attention of South Carolina voters.

In a 28,000-person study from the Yale Program on Climate Communication, more than two-thirds (68%) of South Carolinians surveyed in 2023 agreed that global warming is occurring. More than half (58%) said Congress should take action to mitigate the effects of climate change.

As South Carolina nears its primary election on June 11, residents concerned about the Palmetto State’s natural resources could wonder which Congressional candidate most closely aligns with their views on climate change. Here are the districts, the candidates, and what they had to say about climate change, the state’s natural resources, and energy.

Upstate residents can vote on Congressional candidates in Districts 3 and 4, which encompass parts of Upstate counties Abbeville, Anderson, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg.

In District 3, voters can choose from seven Republicans or two Democrats:

• Bryon L. Best – Democrat

• Sheri Biggs – Republican

• Kevin Bishop – Republican

• Mark Burns – Republican

• Franky Franco – Republican

• Frances Guldner – Democrat

• Phil Healy – Republican

• Stewart O. Jones – Republican

• Elspeth Snow Murday – Republican

In District 4, only Republican candidate Adam Morgan and incumbent U.S. Rep. William Timmons (R), will face off during the primary. In November, the winner will face Democratic candidate Kathryn Harvey.

Bryon L. Best – Democrat, campaigning for U.S. House of Representatives in District 3

Best, an Edgefield County native, mentions climate change impacts on his issues page, primarily through the lens of energy efficiency.

Best told The News he believes mitigating the effects of climate change is important because he wants his son and the next generation to enjoy Earth. He said he believes humans have impacted the planet.

Best said he would promote solar and wind options to generate power in South Carolina. In addition to pursuing more renewable energy to protect the planet, he said he aims to create jobs that will pay a living wage through renewable energy generation.

South Carolina generated about 3.3% of its electricity from solar in 2023, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

“It could be a collective effort if we all sit down and work together, both sides: Republicans, Democrats work together to be able to figure out plans to create renewable energy without damaging the earth, and without using oils and gasses,” Best said in an interview.

If elected, he said he hopes District 3 will serve as a leader to other Congressional districts.

Frances Guldner – Democrat, campaigning for U.S. House of Representatives in District 3

Guldner taught high school science for more than two decades, according to her campaign site. While she could not be reached for comment, the Walhalla resident includes conservation in her list of priorities.

According to Guldner’s campaign site, she thinks the United States should be “the world leader in climate change policies and climate-friendly technology.”

She has taught environmental science and biology at an Anderson County high school, according to her school profile. She’s also studied science at the collegiate level – Guldner received a degree in economic zoology from Clemson University and a master’s degree in resource management from the University of New Hampshire.

Sheri Biggs – Republican, campaigning for U.S. House of Representatives in District 3

Biggs, a nurse and lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard from Anderson, does not address climate change, natural resources, or energy on her campaign website.

Her team declined to comment on her stance when reached by The News.

Kevin Bishop – Republican, campaigning for U.S. House of Representatives in District 3

Bishop, who formerly worked for U.S. Sen. Lindsay Graham (R), said in a statement that he strongly disagrees with “people like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who say the world will end in 12 years due to climate change. That is crazy talk.”

Bishop did not include climate change on his platform, but in his statement, he said he supports the construction of nuclear power plants.

“Nuclear power is a carbon-free emission source. Increased usage of nuclear power would be a big step forward. It would balance the needs of the environment with the energy needs of families in the Third District. Those are the type of win-win solutions we should foster and embrace,” Bishop said.

More: Cool waters, the jet stream and La Ni?a: What South Carolina could see this winter

The U.S. Office of Nuclear Energy describes nuclear power as a “clean” power source. This means that it does not release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, though it can produce radioactive waste after generation. Nuclear power involves fission that breaks an atom (typically uranium) apart to use the dense energy in its nucleus.

Bishop also added that Americans on the “far left” want to eliminate modern convenience.

“If we listen to them, they will have us living back in caves,” he said in his statement.

Mark Burns – Republican campaigning for U.S. House of Representatives in District 3

Burns, a pastor endorsed by former President Donald Trump, said in a statement that he is not convinced that modern life is responsible for climate change.

“The climate has always been changing since the beginning of time,” Burns said. “My biggest problem with those who say they are fighting man-made climate change is their focus on America and Western Europe's pollution, but they don't seem to be worried at all about what's happening in China, India, and South America. If they truly believe what they say, then they need to launch a global effort that starts with the biggest polluting country, China.”

Burns said he thinks solar panels, windmills, and electric car batteries create even more pollution.

“I think we have to recognize that climate change exists regardless of the cause,” he said, adding that Americans need to pursue innovative solutions. “That may come in the form of more levies, seawalls, stronger construction methods, and changes in insurance regulations to make sure everyone's protected.”

Burns does not include climate change on his campaign platform.

Franky Franco – Republican campaigning for U.S. House of Representatives in District 3

Franco, who was raised in the Upstate after his mother immigrated from Cuba and his father immigrated from Ecuador, left his job in the business sector to run for Congress. He does not list climate change as an issue on his campaign site but describes himself to The News as a champion of conservation.

“Certainly, our climate changes, and historically, we have gone through periods of cooling and warming. But the climate change hysteria offered by the liberals in Congress is just Big Government neo-marxism masquerading under a different name,” Franco said. “None of their promised threats have come true.”

Franco said in a statement to The News that he thinks Green New Deal bills are socialist policies that harm the economy and create inflation. He said that China and India are the biggest polluters and that his focus is not on “foreign countries, or activists, or special interests.”

Reports on carbon dioxide emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, and fossil fuel emissions vary, but the United States is often among the highest emitters and polluters.

“We cannot devastate our economy, and we shouldn’t be asked to solve a global problem by ourselves,” he said.

Phil Healy – Republican campaigning for U.S. House of Representatives in District 3

Healy, a realtor from Greenville, does not list climate change on his campaign platform and did not respond to questions from The News.

According to his website, he will prioritize energy independence, writing that Americans have “enough liquid gold right here under our own feet.”

“It is time to safely Drill Baby Drill as President Trump says!” Healy wrote on his campaign website.

Stewart O. Jones – Republican campaigning for U.S. House of Representatives in District 3

Jones is a Republican state legislator from Laurens County. He does not mention climate change on his campaign site.

In a statement to The News, Jones said he will prioritize energy independence from the federal level.

“It is crucial that South Carolinians have access to affordable, abundant, and reliable energy sources. Climate related disaster deaths are down by 98% over the last century because of abundant access to fossil fuels,” Jones said. “I will work to unleash American energy production of firm energy sources including nuclear and all other sources that help to improve the lives of South Carolinians.”

In 2023, Reuters fact-checked claims that climate-related deaths are dropping, stating that the claim is misleading. A combination of large-impact events like floods and famine and increased preparedness over time have contributed to lower mortality.

Conservation Voters of South Carolina, an organization dedicated to holding legislators accountable for votes about conservation issues, keeps scorecards for lawmakers regarding their votes on bills. According to the CVSC scorecard, Jones has given a pro-conservation vote 26% of the time he has been in office.

Elspeth Snow Murday – Republican campaigning for U.S. House of Representatives in District 3

Murday received her bachelor's degree in plant science from Rutgers University and a doctorate in plant and environmental sciences from Clemson University. She references climate change on her campaign site, though she does not discuss policy goals.

Murday thinks that humans are told to steward the earth in the Bible.

In a statement to The News, Murday provided additional insight on what actions she’d like to take if elected.

“Our small towns have rail lines which could easily be electrified, providing each town a nationwide market for tourism plus a way to ship products like timber to the highest-paying buyer,” she said. “Energy independence through nuclear power is also a smart play, and our universities could benefit from grant money for new battery technologies.”

While she did not say that climate change is caused by humans, Murday said that human action can only mitigate it.

“Climate change is undeniable, and whether humans are causing it is irrelevant - only humans can stop and reverse it. So far, we've had a few decades to try, and managed zero reversal in that time,” she said.

William Timmons – Republican campaigning for U.S. House of Representatives in District 4

Timmons is District 4’s incumbent House representative and is running for re-election. He does not list climate change on his platform and did not respond to The News’ request for comment.

Similarly to the CVSC, the League of Conservation Voters also keeps a scorecard for elected officials. In 2023, Timmons scored a 0% on positive environmental votes. Throughout his time in office, he has voted in favor of the environment 5% of the time, the LCV reported.

In 2023, Timmons joined Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine, as a co-sponsor on the Rural Forest Markets Act. The bill would have helped family forest owners and state agencies pursue economic opportunities and work on climate change impacts on their forests. The bill did not move after it was introduced.

Adam Morgan – Republican campaigning for U.S. House of Representatives in District 4

Morgan, who represents Greenville in the South Carolina House of Representatives, will face Timmons on the primary ballot.

Morgan references energy on his campaign website platform.

In a response to The News, Morgan wrote that he would like to see regulations lifted on energy in the U.S. and allow more freedom for oil producers.

According to his CVSC scorecard, Morgan has voted in favor of conservation 45% of the time since taking office.

Kathryn Harvey – Democrat campaigning for U.S. House of Representatives in District 4

Harvey will not appear on the primary ballot, as she is the only Democrat in the District 4 election. Instead, Harvey will face Timmons or Morgan in November.

Harvey references sustainable growth on her platform, saying that economic development must be balanced with environmental stewardship.

In a statement to The News, Harvey said she thinks members of Congress should protect the plant and conserve the environment and green space.

“Climate change is real,” she wrote. “When elected, that is exactly what I will do to ensure the protection and conservation efforts in both Greenville and Spartanburg counties by delivering the necessary funding needed to safeguard and increase our region’s protected lands.”

For more information about voting in the South Carolina primary election, visit The Greenville News’ primary voting guide.

Sarah Swetlik covers climate change and environmental issues in South Carolina's Upstate for The Greenville News. Reach her at [email protected] or on X at @sarahgswetlik.

Have a question for Sustainability with Sarah? Ask here or email [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Here's where Upstate Congressional candidates stand on climate change