EASLEY – “Today is July 4th, the day we celebrate our country’s founding and the Declaration of Independence.  I can think of no better day than today to announce my candidacy in the Republican primary of South Carolina’s Third Congressional District of the United States House of Representatives,” Neal Collins said among a crowd of supporters, family, and friends.

As the crowd cheered in front of Michael’s Pizzeria in Easley, Collins explained his reasoning and motivation. A native of Easley, Collins was said he was raised with an emphasis on being involved in the community, “Whether it was school, church, Scouts, or other volunteer opportunities, I was encouraged to become involved.” 

Collins said that as he reflected on his decision to run for Congress, he was reminded of his youth when he would ride the school bus. 

“The school bus allowed me to travel through varying neighborhoods – from mobile home subdivisions to rural ranch houses to wealthy neighborhoods to government housing to apartment complexes.  At some point in that journey, on one of those rides, I vowed that not only would I improve my life and that of my family’s but that I would return and improve the lives of those in my community and those in those varying neighborhoods.”

Collins’ platform motto is: “Responsibility, Recovery, Reform.” 

“The policies of today most affect those of tomorrow.  I believe the leaders of tomorrow should begin to step up and provide direction,” he said.

Collins said his approach to every issue starts with two fundamental questions, “First, what role does personal responsibility play in the matter?  Two, is it fiscally responsible?” 

With respect to recovery, Collins stated that he believes one of the top issues for South Carolinians is education and argued that it is directly linked to unemployment. 

Collins said South Carolina should not have the third highest unemployment rate in the nation.

“This should not be, we have hard-working, blue collar citizens and our public servants should be highlighting this and recruiting businesses to our district,” said Collins, adding that small businesses are a driving force in the path to economic recovery for the state and the nation. 

“Michael’s Pizzeria is a great example of small businesses in the community.  It has been in Easley for eleven years and currently employs thirty people. This is what our foundation is and this is what should be promoted,” he said.

Collins said every public official ought to have the political courage to not only talk reform, but offer real, substantive plans. 

“I pledge to you that I will not be the typical candidate. I believe politics is a noble profession that can effect great change. My frustration is when politicians are irresponsible, illogical, and lack political courage to offer their plan and views.  I pledge to be a candidate with political courage to confront both the issues of today and tomorrow with a set of unwavering principles and with an independent mind,” he said.

Collins concluded his announcement on an optimistic note, stating that the best for this nation is yet to come, and that he is the candidate with the passion to serve and bring about that change through “Responsibility, Recovery, Reform.”

Collins, an Easley resident, graduated from Easley High School then attended Furman University, graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and French.  He then graduated from University of South Carolina Law School. He currently practices law for Willson, Jones, Carter & Baxley, P.A. in Greenville.