Delores Frazer

For SC House of Representatives, District 37 (D)

I am a person with strong family ties and a deep commitment to family values, having been one of 10 children born to Minister Edgar Brown and Candaisy Brown. I was born in Tampa Florida, lived my early childhood and teenage years in Rochester New York before relocating to Nashville Tennessee to attend Fisk University.  After receiving my bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Fisk University, I earned a master’s degree in Social Work from Howard University in Washington D.C.

I have always had an energetic, ‘can-do’ spirit which has often led me to challenging professional positions; a few of which I will highlight here. My professional career includes services to families of children who have been neglected and abused, state aid to local governments for youth service and recreation programs, education administration, housing and redevelopment oversight, and support services in the office of the tax Assessor.

However, it is my family that has had the biggest influence on my life, especially my parents, who are now deceased. As the daughter of a minister I was taught, at an early age, to stand for what is right, to work hard, to keep my word and to serve others.   These are all valuable lessons which have served me well over the years. Today, my immediate family includes my son-in-law, Rufus Crawford (military veteran); my daughter, Karen and my 3 grandchildren, Candaisy (7th grade), Rmani  (high school senior) and Lamar (military policeman).

I am a member of the Boiling Springs Church of Christ.

Here are Ms. Frazer's answers to some questions posed by the Institute.

Why Run and Why Now?

I am often asked why I am running for elected office. I am here and running now for “such a time as this” – a time when we are threatened with cuts to the education budget, a time when we have a taxing structure that needs attention, a time when we should attract new business and industry to our state, a time when our families need to be strengthened, a time when cool heads, clear thinking and new ideas are needed. I want to work on the people’s behalf – to bring the people’s thoughts, dreams, desires and insights to the table at the state house. I want to be the one to do the people’s bidding. I will listen to them while I run and remember them when I sit at the state house table.The tools that I will use include:

  • A willingness to fight for families and for the people in District 37
  •  Energy, creativity and hard work to get the job done
  • Sound leadership that gets results
  • New ideas stemming from experience in housing and redevelopment, education administration, state aid support to local governments and tax assessment support

South Carolina would be a better place if only...

We had more women in elected office, especially in the General Assembly, where we are woefully underrepresented. There are no women in the senate and only 16 in the House of Representatives. In fact, South Carolina is 50th (last) in the United States in women in the state legislature. This is a terrible waste of talent, skill and ingenuity in a state where women outnumber men 51 % to 49 %, yet men make up nearly 90 % of the General Assembly. The problems we face in our state call for bringing the “best and the brightest” to the table and, so far, we have been missing a large portion of that group. Women bring a distinctive insight, perspective and practicality to issues of governance. Studies show that women are more likely to open up the process to people who don’t normally have a seat at the table. Women are more likely than males to represent family and women’s issues. 

Something my friends don’t know about me:

In high school I faced the biggest challenge of my teen years when I decided in the 8th grade that I wanted to be a varsity cheerleader. Every year I would try out and every year my name was missing from the roster posted on the gym’s bulletin board when the squad was named.  Finally, in the spring of my junior year, I tried out yet again.    The news came the next day.  As I nervously looked down the list posted on the gym’s bulletin board with my heart pounding – I…saw…my…name!  I felt good, great, fantastic.   Today, reflecting on this incident and remembering how hard I had worked to achieve the reward, I better  understand the words of famed NFL coach, Vince Lombardi, “Winning isn’t a sometime thing – it’s an all-the-time thing”.  It’s a way of life.  It’s a winning attitude and doing what is required to be a successful achiever.

My mother always said… 

I remember my mother saying and instilling in us this thought, “Let your word be your bond”.  To this day, if I make a commitment, I will stick by it. That’s why, if it’s a big commitment, such as running for the House of Representatives; I seek the advice of family, friends and the Almighty before committing. Now that I am in the race, I will stay in the race and will work very hard for the people in District 37!

What is your leadership style?

My leadership style is inclusive and collaborative because I believe we get better results when we analyze and employ strategies/remedies examined from different perspectives.   Truly, “no one knows it all” and “two heads are better than one” especially when it comes to addressing the issues we’re facing today.  This is my strong commitment:   I will work, lead, collaborate and join together with my constituents to serve on their behalf and in their best interest at the state level.