As part of our continuing effort to bring local news that’s impactful to our readers, we’ve proactively reached out to the candidates running for the South Carolina House of Representatives.
We will not manipulate their answers in any way, we’ll simply provide to you, our readers. This will allow you to make an informed choice.
This week, we’ll introduce David Martin.
I am a third-generation Fort Mill native and a 2005 graduate of Fort Mill High School. After graduating from Coastal Carolina University and Charlotte School of Law, I returned home to start my career and raise a family in the community that I love. Today, I own David W. Martin Law Group, which has grown throughout South Carolina, and I am proud to be raising my three daughters here in Fort Mill.
Long before running for office, I tried to give back to the community that gave me so much. I have served or volunteered with organizations including the Fort Mill Care Center, Fort Mill Economic Partners, Fort Mill Downtown Co-Op, York County Palmetto Council, Ruck and Roll Foundation, Harry Hampton Wildlife Fund, and others. In 2025, I was honored to be named the Post and Courier Small Business Owner of the Year.
I never set out to become a politician. I entered public service because I love this community and believed Fort Mill needed a strong voice in Columbia who understands what makes our community special, someone who loves our schools, understands the challenges of rapid growth, and focuses on the issues affecting our families every day.
During my first term, I have focused on four priorities: our schools, public safety, infrastructure and responsible growth, and lower taxes.
First, we must protect what makes Fort Mill special: our public schools. I have supported increased teacher pay, funding for school resource officers, legislation providing teachers more planning time and reducing unnecessary administrative burdens, and stronger school safety measures.
I am especially proud to have helped bring Winthrop University to Fort Mill and secure $1 million for its new Fort Mill Academic Hub. This addition will create expanded opportunities for every age group in our community, including early childhood education, dual enrollment, continuing education, workforce development, and higher education in our community.
Second, keeping our families safe has been one of my highest priorities. My brother served our community as a York County Sheriff’s deputy and detective for close to 30 years, so I have seen firsthand the commitment and sacrifice required of those who protect us.
After seeing illegal street takeovers spreading from the Charlotte region and threatening communities like ours, I was the first legislator in South Carolina to introduce comprehensive legislation specifically addressing the issue. The Roadway Safety and Protection Act passed during my first session and was signed into law, giving law enforcement stronger tools to stop these dangerous events. Since it was signed into law, it has led to the arrest of close to 100 individuals across South Carolina.
Third, I wanted to address infrastructure, congestion, and responsible growth.
During my freshman year, I was honored to be asked by the Speaker of the House to serve on the SCDOT Modernization Ad Hoc Committee. Our work resulted in reforms designed to increase accountability, budget transparency, streamline processes, support faster project delivery, and cut unnecessary red tape. Many of the suggestions and proposals that I made, including giving the Governor the discretion to appoint the Secretary of SCDOT, were added into the bill that we passed last session. I believe this will be one of the most transformative pieces of legislation in the last few decades.
Locally, I worked with SCDOT to install new traffic signals near Catawba Ridge High School and Doby’s Bridge Elementary and also pushed for school-zone safety flashers at Riverview Elementary. I also helped Fort Mill secure a $3 million traffic-congestion grant to modernize traffic signals and improve traffic flow around 29715.
Responsible growth also means recognizing when something simply does not belong next to our schools. I have been one of the leading legislative voices opposing Silfab’s manufacturing operations beside Fort Mill schools. I was the first legislator to introduce zoning reform and school-buffer safety legislation and have pushed state agencies and officials for greater accountability. I support economic development, but believe that no project should come at the expense of our children’s safety or our community’s quality of life.
Finally, I believe families, seniors, and small businesses should keep more of what they earn. I co-sponsored and supported reducing our state income tax, small-business tax relief, increased property-tax relief for seniors, and efforts to reduce personal-property taxes, including taxes on boats. We should continue lowering the tax burden while demanding greater efficiency and accountability from state government.
There is still much more to do.
Next session, I plan to pursue property-tax relief to protect the locally owned businesses that make communities like downtown Fort Mill special. I will continue fighting irresponsible industrial development near our schools, work to strengthen our bond laws so repeat violent offenders are not continually returned to our streets, and I will introduce legislation addressing the growing risks that social media and artificial intelligence pose to our children.
Politics can make it seem as though every issue has to be about which side wins. I do not support divisive politics, and I believe representing Fort Mill is simpler: listen to the people you represent, use common sense, work with anyone willing to help, and never forget who sent you to Columbia.
Fort Mill is my home. It is where I grew up, where I returned to build my career and raise my family, and where I will remain. Serving District 26 has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I look forward to continuing to work for the community that has given my family and me so much.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
