I grew up in Powdersville and Piedmont, paying bills on time and watching hardworking families get squeezed by rising assessments and millage. Right now, Anderson County’s effective property tax rate hovers around 0.45 to 0.55%—median bills around $1,193 a year—but that’s still too much when groceries, gas, and growth keep climbing.

Taxes in District 10 should work for us—not against us.

Primary homes get the 4% assessment break (not 6% like rentals), and we’ve got solid relief: homestead exemptions knock off the first $50,000 for folks 65-plus, disabled vets get full home-and-land breaks up to 5 acres, and South Carolina’s pushing expansions—like bumping that cap higher for long-time residents.

But we can do better. In Columbia, I’ll fight to lock in more relief: expand senior breaks statewide, cap millage hikes (especially school and fire districts in our area), push for the Small Business Tax Cut to ease personal property hits on local owners, and block any sneaky increases from Columbia. No more funding waste—every dollar stays local for roads, schools, and safety.

Taxes aren’t punishment—they’re a promise. I’ll keep them fair, low, and accountable. Pro-relief. Pro-District 10 families. Pro-you.
Stewart Watson