Tired of Running

Yes, it's true. I’m tired of running.

If that comes as a surprise to you, it’s probably because you don’t know my story.

And although I haven’t written in a while, you can always find me out in the community…fighting on the front lines for the people of Senate District 22.

Doing the right thing and serving for the right reasons is easy. Trying to balance the demands of family, home, work and public service as a single mom, isn’t. So you may have heard me question God and myself about why I sacrifice so much to serve. 

That’s why my focus during this season has been on my faith, my family and spending more time in God’s Presence...where He continues to refresh, refine, rehabilitate and restore me. 

So, during the months that we’re not in session, I’m just trying to “be still and know” who He is and who I am in Him. 

And what He recently revealed to me changes everything. 

It’s no coincidence that I chose this month to make this announcement. Just four years ago on October 2, as I was preparing my family, community and House district for the historic 1000-year flood, God was preparing me for a storm of my own. 

A stroke. 

No warning.  No obvious risk factors. And thankfully, no major deficits.

Thought it must’ve been the stress. It’s no secret that from day one, I’ve taken the lead on some pretty big fights…like the Republicans’ redistricting plan to gerrymander my House District. Like holding county leaders accountable to restore public trust in our Richland County elections after the 2012 debacle. Like amending our state’s Disturbing Schools law so that our kids are protected from harm and the school-to-prison pipeline. Like introducing my infamous “Viagra bill,” that garnered national and international attention by exposing the hypocrisy of our GOP-controlled, male-dominated legislature and giving them “a taste of their own medicine.” 

Every fight is passionate and purposeful. 

Add to that the fact that I had already announced my intention to run for the open Senate District 22 seat and instantly, I became a state and national target.  

But, in spite of all the negative ads and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent to keep me out of the seat, they obviously didn’t realize that my steps are divinely ordered.

In other words, I won. Big.

Fast forward to 2018...my second year in the SC Senate. 

My Disturbing Schools Bill had just passed overwhelmingly, with bipartisan support. 

And then, outpatient knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus landed me in ICU with a blood clot in my leg that had already made its way to my lungs.

But God...

So, the last 16 months have been filled with prayer, reflection, gratitude, rehabilitation and healing.  It was during this “down-time” that I realized…I really am tired of running. 

Tired of running away from what God has called me to do.

That’s why I want you to be the first to know that I am running for a second term in 2020! The work we’ve started in Senate District 22 is far too important to stop now! 

Kicking off our 2020 Campaign for the SC Senate is only the beginning! With a new website and domain name, this “relaunch” symbolizes the critical work God is doing to renew my mind, refresh my perspective, revitalize my spirit and ultimately reconfirm His purpose for my life.

And as He continues to write my story and rekindle that fire within me, I’m more excited than ever about the future and looking forward to each new door He opens along my journey!  

It may not be easy, but nothing worth having ever is. Just know that I’m well-equipped for this fight and I plan to stay the course. 

This is a new day. A new beginning.  I’ll always be the fierce leader, advocate and warrior that so many of you have come to know and love. And while I hope to continue to earn your respect and support, the fight for our future isn’t one that I can win alone. 

Join us today, at MiaforSC.com!  Donate. Volunteer. Share your ideas. 

And let’s continue to fight for the future of South Carolina…together!