By By Caitlin Byrd

Copyright postandcourier

“Trump is a great negotiator,” he said. “America has been the giver for so long and has let other countries unfairly take advantage of us. So we need to support him, and I think a lot of people are scared of what he does. And it always seems to turn out well.”

In addition to focusing on the national debt, McCown singled out health care as a top issue, criticizing government regulations as costly, burdensome and inefficient. He partly blames such bureaucracy for the death of his 14-year-old sister, Fran, after a South Carolina hospital’s ICU was held up by regulatory approvals even as she required critical care. He declined to identify the hospital.

McCown, who says he lives on Daniel Island, also called for supporting law enforcement, opposes diversity and inclusion policies in schools, and emphasized the need for U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence. He practiced radiology at McLeod Medical Center in Florence before retiring from medicine.

McCown becomes the third Republican to officially enter the race. He joins Mark Smith, a state lawmaker and funeral home owner, and Alex Pelbath, the Air Force pilot who flew the last U.S. aircraft out of Kabul when America ended its 20-year war in Afghanistan.

Dorchester County Councilman Jay Byars has confirmed he is considering a bid of his own, promising a decision will come soon.

The seat is seen as an open prize now that Mace has confirmed she will not seek reelection and is instead embarking on a statewide run for governor.