Representative Jenny Horne
SC House of Representatives, District 94 (R)
Jenny Anderson Horne recently won the Republican nomination for House District 94 representing Dorchester & Charleston Counties. She was unopposed in the November election.
Ms. Horne practices law in Summerville, and is a native of Dorchester County. She was born on October 12, 1972 to Danny and Cindy Anderson of Ridgeville, South Carolina. In 1994, Jenny graduated from the University of South Carolina Honors College, magna cum laude, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. As an undergraduate at the University of South Carolina, she worked for four years in the State House as a page and as a legislative aide. Jenny graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1997 where she served as Associate Articles Editor of the South Carolina Law Review and was inducted into the Society of Wig and Robe.
After law school, Jenny clerked for federal trial judge Margaret Beane Seymour. Jenny has worked in private practice in law firms in Columbia and Charleston. Ms. Horne now practices law at her own firm in Summerville and is very active in her community. Ms. Horne has served as the volunteer Executive Director for Communities in Schools of Dorchester County, a non-profit organization committed to lowering the drop-out rate by offering free after school programs for at-risk middle school students. Jenny also serves on the Board of Directors for Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union and is President-Elect of the South Carolina Women Lawyer's Association.
Jenny and her husband, Marc, have two children, a son Nicholas (7) who is a second-grader at Summerville Elementary School, and a daughter, Maggie, (3 1/2) who is in preschool. Jenny and Marc are members of Bethany United Methodist Church, where Jenny currently serves on its Board of Trustees.
Here are Ms. Horne's answers to some questions posed by the Institute.
Why you, why now for this position?
Timing in life is everything. Last Summer, when former Representative Converse Chellis was elected to be our new State Treasurer, I took it as a sign that I needed to run for House District 94 where I lived and practiced law. I discussed the decision with my husband, my family, and close friends and decided that the time for me to run for public office had come.
What is your leadership style?
I am a consensus builder. I like to involve everyone in the deliberative process. The only thing I ask of others is to have an open mind about how to solve problems.
With so few women in elected office here in SC what do you foresee to be your greatest challenge once elected to public office?
I think that the greatest challenge for women in politics is making the decision to run and finding enough support to successfully run and win a campaign. Now that I have been elected, the hardest part is over. My being a woman is certainly no obstacle to serving the people of South Carolina.
Has there been a woman who you've admired in the political world and what is it about her that gives you courage to run the race?
I admire all women who have the courage to run and to serve in an elected office or position. I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing women in my legal career. United State District Judge Margaret Seymour is one noteworthy example. Her intellect and integrity is matched only by her love and commitment to her family. She is a woman whom I admire greatly.
How much money will you need to raise? If you were not running for office and had that amount of money where would you spend it?
I raised $50,000 for my campaign for State House. If I did not need the money for my campaign, I would donate it to my favorite charity, Communities in Schools of Dorchester County, which is a non-profit, drop-out prevention organization. The organization operates free after school programs for at-risk middle school students in Dorchester County.
Has political office been a life long goal/dream of yours?
When I was a rising Senior in High School, I attended Palmetto Girls State. This experience sparked my interest in politics. As an undergraduate at the University of South Carolina Honors College, I worked as a House page and legislative aide for four years. During this time, I decided that one day I would like to serve my State in this capacity. It is indeed a dream come true to be able to serve my home county of Dorchester in the State House.
Complete this sentence: "South Carolina would be a better place if only..."
South Carolina would be a better place if only we could improve our education system.
What keeps you awake at night?
This one's easy - my 3 1/2 year-old, Maggie!
My father always said...
No matter how far you go in life, never forget where you came from.