Jim Mader (R-SC-7)

James Lawrence “Jim” Mader

Jim Mader Congressional Candidate South Carolina District 7

Biography of Jim Mader from Citizens to Elect Jim Mader to District Seven

From email request:

“My name is Jim Mader and I am running for Congress. I am not content to complain anymore. Protests, letters, and talk show comments have not changed how our government operates. It hasn’t changed how much our government spends, acts towards us, or protects us. I believe that the only way to get government to change is to change who is in government.

I was born in Washington DC and have lived in Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Indiana and California. In 1980 I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelors degree in Economics, and in 2009 I graduated from HGTC with an Associate’s degree in Horticulture. I was in retail management for over 25 years and now I operate my own landscape management company named “New Beginnings”.

I first came to Myrtle Beach area in 1963. My family used to camp at Sherwood Forest Campground in North Myrtle Beach. I moved to Myrtle Beach right after Hurricane Hugo and have been living up and down the Grand Strand ever since. I moved to Pawleys Island from Georgetown in 2005.

I am blessed to have a beautiful wife, Melany. We have been married now for 15 years. We met on a blind date and were married shortly afterward and now live in Pawleys Island. We both come from military families. My father is a Marine, and her father is retired Air Force. I have two daughters from a previous marriage.

Like most people, my political views were shaped by my family. My first real memory of politics is when Barry Goldwater was running for office. My friends and I would make fun of his name. Then the Vietnam War came to the forefront. I would watch the evening news with my father, and he would get disgusted with the reporting. He said, “The politicians were running the war, not the military. You either fight to win or you shouldn’t be fighting at all.” I remember the election of Nixon vs. Hubert Humphrey at the time my father was in Vietnam. I stayed up late to watch the election returns. It was at this time my family turned away from the Democrat party. The Democrats were trash talking our military and our country, and they’ve been talking trash ever since.

I was the first in my family to register Republican. I had just turned 18 and I was ready to exercise one of my rights as an American. My parents followed my lead soon afterwards.

I have always been a strong supporter of our Military. My family has a history of military service. My father, my brother and some of my nephews have served in our Armed Forces. I personally have not had the honor or the privilege to serve in our Military. When I went to school I tried to join but was turned away because of my eyesight.

I am an active volunteer with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and I donate blood regularly for the American Red Cross.

I am not a seasoned politician. This is my first try for political office. But this does not mean I do not understand politics or the political process. Everyone deals with politics in one way or another every day, whether it is on your job, in school or in family situations. You work with one another, you compromise, and you advance your cause.

I have the Passion, the Potential, and the Capability to serve you, our state, and our nation. I look forward to being your Congressman.”

From website:

First, a little about myself:

I am blessed to have a beautiful wife, Melany. We’ve been married now for 15 years. We met on a blind date and were married shortly afterwards and now live in Pawleys Island. We are both from military families. My father is a Marine and her father is Air Force.

How did I get to South Carolina?

My family had been coming to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina since 1963. We used to stay at Sherwood Forest Campground up in North Myrtle Beach. The whole neighborhood would load up their campers and away we’d go. There was no by-pass, very few golf courses and my biggest thrill was putt-putt golf and pinball. Well, when I graduated college, I was offered a training position in Charleston, South Carolina. Who was I to say no? I knew Charleston. My mom’s family is from the Charleston area, and it was close to the beach. I’ve never moved away from South Carolina since.

Where have I lived?

Like I said, my dad is a Marine, and so we moved frequently. I was born in Washington DC. I then lived close to Parris Island, South Carolina when my father was sent to Okinawa, Japan. When he returned, we moved to South Bend, Indiana where I started school. We then moved to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. When my father went to Vietnam we moved to San Marcos, California. When he returned, we moved to Quantico, Virginia. His final assignment was to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. My father retired in 1974, so we moved off base to Jacksonville, North Carolina where I finished school at White Oak High School.

After graduating high school, I attended college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, receiving a BA in Economics. After graduation, I moved to Charleston, South Carolina for my first “real job”. I was then transferred to Beaufort, South Carolina, James Island, South Carolina, North Charleston, South Carolina, Moncks Corner, South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina and finally to Myrtle Beach South, Carolina.

Since moving to Myrtle Beach, I have lived in Myrtle Beach proper, the south end of Myrtle Beach, Mt. Pleasant, Georgetown, and finally Pawleys Island. Having lived around the country and in several locations within South Carolina’s District 7 has given me a much better perspective on many of the issues that are important to our country, South Carolina, and our district. I started my still small Lanscaping business “New Beginnings” a couple of years ago, slowly adding clients, even through the recession. I’ve gained a very good appreciation of the challanges that business has in today’s econimic climate.

How were my political views shaped?

Although I have been a Republican since I was old enough to vote, my grandparents were lifelong Democrats. My parents were Democrats at first. My father used to tell me that my grandparents would vote Democrat for Congress, and a Republican for President. That way, one balanced out the other. The first time I registered to vote, I registered as a Republican and have remained so ever since. I was the first in my family to register as a Republican. My parents changed to Republican shortly thereafter.

My first real memory of politics is when Barry Goldwater was running for office. My friends and I would make fun of his name. Then the Vietnam War came to the forefront. I would watch the evening news with my father, and he would get disgusted with the reporting. He said “the politicians were running the war, not the military. You either fight to win or you shouldn’t be fighting at all”. I remember the election of Nixon vs. Hubert Humphrey at the time my father went to Vietnam during the war there. I stayed up late to watch the election returns. It was at this time my family turned away from the Democrat Party. The Democrats were trash talking the military and our country; and they’ve been talking trash ever since.

Who is “Jim Mader”?
Here’s a few particulars.
Age: 54

Degrees: BA in Economics from UNC-Chapel Hill

Associates Degree in Horticulture from HGTC.

Marital status: Married.

Children: 2 daughters

Occupation: Owner & Operator of New Beginnings, a Landscape Management Company.

Religious beliefs: A follower of Jesus Christ

Were you ever in the military?

No, I have not had the privilege. When I was going to college, I wanted to join the ROTC. Unfortunately, I couldn’t pass the eye exam. But I have been a strong supporter of our military all my life. My family has history of military service. As I said, my father is a Marine. My brother was in the Navy. My brother-in-law is a Marine. I also have a nephew in the Marines. He’s being deployed to Afghanistan. I have another nephew who is in the Navy. He’s being deployed to Afghanistan. And I can’t forget my nephew-in-law who is in the Navy. He has spent several tours overseas.

Do you do any volunteer activities?

I am an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. I am the Logistics chairman for the Myrtle Beach Relay which will be held April 20th at the Market Commons from 7pm until 7 am. I also donate blood to the American Red Cross on a regular basis. Lastly, I volunteer at my church.