Archie Parnell is running to become the next congressman from the state of South Carolina.
On May 2nd, South Carolina will hold a special election to replace Mick Mulvaney, the South Carolina representative who vacated his seat earlier this year in order to join the Trump administration.
Among the Democratic candidates, the one who seems to have the best chance is Archie Parnell, a senior adviser at Goldman Sachs. So who is Archie Parnell, and what is his political platform? Here’s what you need to know.
1. He Says He Will Ensure Corporations Pay Their Fair Share in Taxes
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A major part of Archie Parnell’s political campaign has been the fact that he is knowledgeable about the U.S. tax code due to his experience as a businessman, and he wants to bring this knowledge to Congress.
He also promises that he will use this knowledge in order to ensure that corporations pay their fair share in taxes.
“Look, I’ve worked for some of the biggest corporations in the world, but I know corporations like those don’t need anymore breaks, but your family might,” he says in a campaign ad. “..And trust me, I know enough about the U.S. tax code to absolutely bore you to tears.”
2. He Says the U.S. Should Allow Americans to Import Cheaper Drugs
On the topic of healthcare, Archie Parnell believes that Americans should be allowed to important cheaper drugs from other countries like Canada.
In addition, he says that the U.S. government should negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to lower costs, according to his campaign website.
Of course, Archie Parnell opposes the Republican Party’s efforts to repeal Obamacare and replace it with the American Health Care Act, which Parnell says “would have raised premiums on older Americans and weakened Medicare.”
3. He Says The U.S. Should Invest in Infrastructure
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Archie Parnell says that although the economy has improved since 2008, real wages have not gone up for many Americans.
Parnell says his plan for dealing with this is to close tax loopholes and invest in infrastructure and manufacturing.
“Archie believes that infrastructure enables small businesses to grow locally and attracts larger businesses to move here from elsewhere in the US and abroad,” his website states. “Archie knows that expanding and modernizing broadband infrastructure and cell coverage will create more economic opportunities for South Carolina as well. Combined, these mechanisms will have a powerful impact on this region– allowing us to become a larger economic engine in the South.”
4. He Says That the U.S. Should Use Military Force ‘Strategically, Carefully, and Conservatively’
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When it comes to the topic of foreign policy, Archie Parnell does not believe that the United States should always get involved in conflicts overseas, nor does he believe that it be completely isolationist and ignore the rest of the world entirely.
Parnell explains on his website that “The United States should neither hide from a fight nor go looking for one, instead, our use of military force should be dispensed strategically, carefully, and conservatively.”
He also says that he supports the creation of a 21st century fighting force that can protect American interests worldwide based on the advice of the country’s best military minds, rather than being based on the lobbying of defense contractors.
5. He Says He Will Fight to Close the Wage Gap
Archie Parnell says that he will fight to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work.
In addition, he says he will fight for the expansion of medical leave.
“Our fellow citizens fought and died for their right to cast a ballot, but many also sacrificed in their righteous pursuit of all kinds of equality,” Parnell says. “Women fought for the right to vote and the right to work; Archie will push to ensure that equal work receives equal pay, and he will fight for an expansion of medical leave laws that allow families to feel secure, whether they suffer from an illness or are blessed with a child.”
Finally, Parnell says that he will fight to protect the right of same-sex couples to marry.