Columbia, SC – With just over two weeks until the First in the South Candidates forum on November 6, South Carolina Democrats are looking forward to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Governor of Maryland Martin O’Malley, and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont sharing how they plan to help working families get ahead by raising the minimum wage.
“There are 23 states that currently have a minimum wage higher than South Carolina’s,” said State Representative and Chair of the DNC’s Southern Regional Caucus Gilda Cobb-Hunter. “Right now an employee working 40 hours a week at the $7.25 per hour minimum wage cannot afford a two-bedroom apartment. People who work 40 hours or more a week shouldn’t be forced to live in poverty. I look forward to each candidate’s plans to ensure that hardworking South Carolinians can earn a wage that allows them to support their family.”
Background
Representative Cobb-Hunter sponsored legislation to raise South Carolina’s minimum wage which is awaiting action in the South Carolina Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.
Recently the South Carolina Democratic Party released the results of a poll showing that 66 percent of South Carolinians and 54 percent of South Carolina Republicans believe we should raise the minimum wage.
See full poll results here.
