Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb 2019

52 www.ReadMPM.com | www.BestOfMP.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com district has been gerrymandered to all but assure that it will belong to the Republicans. “We had a strong, clear message, and we didn’t allow Washington to create our narrative,” he said. He added that he will honor his early campaign pledge not to vote for Californian Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House, pointing out that both sides, Democrats and Republicans, need new leadership in Washington if Congress and the president are to deal with the issues that plague the Lowcountry and the nation, including infrastructure and health care. “I’ve sent a message that I’m willing to stand up to the leaders of both parties in order to stand up for the people of the Lowcountry,” he said. “We ran our campaign on individual donors, without any PAC money, so I’m only accountable to the people of the 1st Congressional District. I’m not bought and paid for.” Cunningham, who considers himself to be a moderate Democrat, said the media gives lots of play to the extreme right Republicans and extreme left Democrats, even though “most of us in this district and in this country are somewhere in the middle.” “A lot of us just want pragmatic solutions. For instance, the Affordable Care Act wasn’t perfect, but I think we should craft a bill with bipartisan support,” he remarked. Cunningham said one problem in Washington might be that too many people have served in Congress for too long. He promised that if the people of the 1st District elect him twice more, he’ll retire from the House after three terms. “I have a 9-month-old son. It’s not my intention to live in Washington while he grows up,” Cunningham said. Cunningham celebrating his big win with son, Boone. Photo courtesy of the Joe Cunningham campaign. It’s Not College Prep, It’s College. “Getting Students to the Next Level” 580 Faison Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466 843-936-7128 www.oceansidecollegiateacademy.org OCA serves students in grades 9-12 using a modified honors curriculum in 9th and 10th grade and a dual enrollment curriculum in 11th and 12th grade. EDUCATION • Dual enrollment program allows students to earn up to 60 college credits at no cost to familes. • 90% of Juniors and Seniors are enrolled as full-time college students. • Higher End of Course and state benchmarks than other schools in SC. ATHLETICS • 2018-2019 Girl’s Golf State Champions • 2017-2018 Girl’s Golf State Champions • 2017-2018 Boy’s Lacrosse 4A State Champions • 3.5 million dollars in athletic and academic scholarships awarded to our senior class of 77 students. Oceanside Collegiate Academy (OCA) serves high school students in a safe, small, family-centered environment who seek the opportunity and challenge of a rigorous curriculum, high academic standards, and outstanding athletics while earning up to two years of college credit. feature