SC Social Workers Endorse Vincent Sheheen for Governor

Press Release

Today, South Carolina's chapter of the National Association of Social Workers announced its endorsement of Vincent Sheheen for Governor of South Carolina.

"As social workers, it's our job to protect children, families, and South Carolina's most vulnerable citizens. For South Carolina to be a place of just, equitable communities we need an honest governor who supports and respects our work. That's why we back Vincent Sheheen," said Marjorie Hammock, Licensed Social Worker and a longtime member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Ms. Hammock and nearly twenty other social workers from around the midlands announced the endorsement in Columbia this afternoon, noting Sen. Sheheen's commitment to ending the dysfunction at the Dept. of Social Services, lowering caseloads for social workers, and accepting South Carolinians' Federals tax dollars back in state to expand Medicaid and create jobs.

"South Carolina's social workers are doing vital work and they deserve an honest governor who will support and respect them," said Sen. Sheheen. "I have been proud to stand with our social workers and so many others to put an end to the toxic culture and gross mismanagement at Nikki Haley's DSS that has allowed the lives of children to be put in danger and working South Carolinians to be viewed only as a statistic. I am honored to receive this endorsement for governor and look forward to restoring honesty and accountability together."

Sen. Sheheen accepted the endorsement at the SCNASW offices, thanking South Carolina's social workers for their hard work and support.

"When I am governor, we will stamp out the culture of indifference and self-promotion that Governor Haley has fostered," Sen. Sheheen continued. "What's happened at DSS under Governor Haley is inexcusable and it's only now going to change because a few brave whistleblowers and social workers had the courage to speak up. Thank you for the work you all do each and every day."

The Department of Social Services has been under investigation for nearly a year, coming under fire after the deaths of children due to mismanagement and a focus on lowering numbers instead of improving child safety. Governor Haley and her administration, instead of taking action to address the problem, tried to "intimidate" at GOP Senator leading the investigation and repeatedly provided wrong numbers and information to the investigating Subcommittee.

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