Today, Dr. Annie Andrews joined shrimpers, fishermen, and small business owners at Tarvin Seafood on Shem Creek as diesel prices hit record highs in South Carolina. Andrews heard directly about how rising fuel costs are squeezing the working waterfront and driving up costs for families across the state.
Andrews toured Tarvin Seafood with owner Cindy Tarvin and heard directly from local shrimpers, fishermen, and small business owners about how record-high diesel prices are driving up the cost of taking their boats out, bringing in their catch, and keeping their businesses running.
“Standing right here, you see exactly what record-high diesel means for South Carolina,” said Dr. Annie Andrews. “Shrimpers need diesel every time they take their boats out. Truckers need it to move our food and goods. Farmers need it to run their equipment. And when it costs more at every step, South Carolina families pay more at the end.”
Diesel recently reached an all-time record high in South Carolina of more than $6.16 per gallon. Since the war in Iran began, diesel prices have surged more than 70 percent nationwide. As South Carolinians pay the price, Darline Graham has voted three times against efforts to end U.S. involvement in the war — including just last week.
Andrews has called for an end to the war in Iran for the immediate suspension of both the state and federal gas and diesel taxes to provide relief.
“South Carolinians are paying the price for decisions being made in Washington,” said Andrews. “Darline Graham had a chance to vote to end this war, and she voted to keep it going. “I don’t take my direction from Washington — I take my direction from South Carolinians, including the shrimpers and fishermen right here who are telling us loud and clear: do something about these prices.”
Earlier this week, Andrews was in Walterboro talking with South Carolinians about data centers and launched DataCenterDarline.com, while Graham was back in Washington focused on a “gotcha moment” at a Senate hearing. With 34 days until Election Day, Andrews will continue traveling across South Carolina, talking directly with families and communities about the issues they’re facing and laying out her plans to lower their costs.