In House District 87, state Rep. Paula Rawl Calhoon, a Lexington County Republican is running for reelection against Libertarian nominee Robin Machajewski.
The race, in the Lexington County district, does not have a Democratic candidate.
The winner of the race will serve a two-year term.
Paula Rawl Calhoon
Name: Paula Rawl Calhoon
Party: Republican
Age: 66
Occupation/place of employment: Retired from state employment (public school teacher and deputy director of a state agency). Now, she serves as a full-time legislator of District 87.
Education/school: Paula received a B.A. degree in early education and a master’s of education from the University of South Carolina, Columbia.
Political or civic experience: Paula is a member of the Lexington Chamber; Lexington Woman’s Club (president); St. Stephens Lutheran Church; board member of Lexington Medical Center Foundation; Lexington Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary (president) and a notary public for S.C.
Campaign website: calhoonforstatehouse.com
Why are you running for the Legislature?
Calhoun was approached by leaders in her community to run for House District 87, a vacated seat. During conversations, they highlighted Calhoun’s caring conservative work ethic and distinguished background. Following the Christmas holiday season, Paula Calhoun consulted her family and they prayed about her candidacy. Today, Paula is running to assist the citizens in District 87 navigate programs within government; to support education, public safety, business community, and conservation measures in her community; and, finally, to address statewide policies.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during the next Legislative session?
Priorities during the next Legislative session are education, public safety, job opportunities, taxation and roads. Her growing list for fiscal year 2025-26 encompasses issues from cosmetology to guardianships to restaurant insurance liability to mention a few. Also, early childhood pre-school suspensions and a review of code-of-conduct policies at the elementary, middle and high schools need to be considered. The last two issues will have a significant impact on learning today and hopefully, a better educational outcome in the future.
What Lexington County projects would you advocate earmark funding for through the state budget?
As to advocating for earmark funding for Lexington County, there is a need for traffic relief at Longs Pond Road with access to Interstate 20. There is heavy congestion from commercial and residential vehicles at this one interchange. Paula continues to seek out, meet, monitor and work with large and small businesses in the surrounding area along with county and town officials and S.C. Department of Transportation. In F.Y. 2024-25, Lexington County was awarded funding for an “interchange justification report”. In the fall of 2025, Lexington County’s baseball program will host two separate age divisions of the baseball world series. Out-of-state families will be traveling to our communities to participate at two separate ballparks. It will take a community of volunteers and additional funds to make this a safe, well-run, over-the-top, successful event.
Robin Machajewski
Name: Robin Machajewski
Party: Libertarian
Age: 53
Occupation/place of employment: Nurse practitioner
Education/school: Frontier Nursing University
Why are you running for the Legislature?
So that the people of District 87 can have more than one choice of candidate and to increase the visibility of the Libertarian Party.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during the next Legislative session?
Work to end property taxes and shrink the size of government in general by cutting unnecessary and wasteful programs.
What Lexington County projects would you advocate earmark funding for through the state budget?
None at this time.
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