Greenville’s Openly Gay Candidate for County Council

an interview by Lin Orndorf

2008 is proving to be quite an interesting year for politics.  From the neck-and-neck race between the Democratic frontrunners for the presidential nomination to heated local contests in our region, there is plenty of real political drama for everyone.

And now it’s time to consider the local political scene.  One of the Democratic candidates on the ballot in the Greenville County, South Carolina primary is James Akers, Jr. Akers is a candidate from Greenville County District 24 for a seat on County Council.

Candidate Akers met with me one afternoon in late April to talk about his candidacy and campaign.

“I’m a real estate agent,” he explained when I asked about his day job.  “I’m balancing real estate, politics and a relationship.”

He and his partner, Jeremy, have been together for six years.  Jeremy is easing into the role of a candidate’s partner.

“He’s a little more reserved than I am but he’s growing into the role.  He’s always known that I was really into politics…he knew this would happen sooner or later,” said Akers.

When Jeremy isn’t traveling for work, he attends various campaign events with Akers who is an openly gay candidate.

What motivated an openly gay man to run for public office in what is otherwise a rather conservative area?  Akers explained what prompted him to run.

“I’ve always followed politics,” he told me with a grin.

Part of his reason for running is to serve and represent the people in his district unlike politicians who were supposed to be representing him and his neighbors in the past. While Akers was living in Charlotte, he contacted a Mecklenburg County Commissioner regarding a gay rights ordinance.  The ordinance passed but the commissioner never replied to Akers. 

After moving to Greenville, SC, Akers needed to contact a County Councilman and found him to be almost as unresponsive to his constituents and “not really interested in politics.” When the opportunity arose, Akers decided to run against that Councilman.

Akers told me he is also concerned about some basic needs and issues in the County of Greenville.  “The county has bad roads.  Greenville is growing and will be the size of Atlanta by 2030.  The [current] County Council tends to be reactionary and has no vision or plan.”

So, Akers wants the opportunity to be proactive for his community and help create and set into place a plan for growth and development, one that would include improving and repairing the county’s infrastructure.  All of that requires healthy coffers.

“I don’t want to sound like a ‘tax and spend’ liberal.  But, in Greenville, we haven’t raised property taxes in over a decade.  The roads are falling apart and everyone complains but nobody does anything about it.”

Akers also spoke about encouraging new business to come to the county to help counter the high unemployment rate and addressing the rising crime rate with an increased budget so the Sheriff can hire more officers.

And Akers also acknowledges, “We’ve lived there [Greenville] for more than three years and someone needs to represent us [the LGBT community]. It’s the home of Bob Jones University, after all.”

The fact that Akers is gay has not been a big issue thus far.  The local newspaper has brought it up.  And one of his opponents is stressing the need for traditional family values, which is often code for “straight folks” only.  Another opponent has highlighted the fact that he grew up in a “structured family environment.”

Akers pointed out, “We’re both [he and his partner] from Republican families.”  So, his opponents may want to re-think the traditional values tactic.

Overall, James Akers, Jr. is having fun with a busy campaign and is feeling fairly confident.    He is hoping for an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats and the Victory Fund.  He says he has the support of some “important party people” in his district but that they are holding off on making endorsements until after the primary on May 10.

The only thing that has him a little worried right now is fundraising. The Republican candidate is running unopposed and is sitting on a large war chest.  “Once the primary is over, the Democratic Party will support me.  I’d like to match the kind of funds she has.”

His campaign is having a fundraiser at Café and Then Some on May 18th from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. The event will be a “roast” of Akers and will allow supporters to see a lighter side of the candidate as Susan Smith and Maureen Abdulla, Café and Then Some cast member, entertain with their hilarious comedy all geared towards James and his ideals.

“As a fan of Café and Then Some, I am both excited and nervous to share the stage with Susan and Maureen. Hopefully I can stay on the good side of their humor!” Akers said.

Tickets are available at www.VoteAkers.com or by contacting Courtney Hughey, Volunteer Coordinator at (864) 420-6000 or at Courtney@VoteAkers.com.