Clemson G Turregano
Democrat | South Carolina
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
The Citadel, Charleston, BA, 1983-
Syracuse University, Syracuse NY, MA, 1992-
Syracuse University, Syracuse NY, MPA, 1992-
Syracuse University, Syracuse NY, PhD, 1995-
US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, MA, 2002-
WORK & MILITARY
SC National Guard, SGT, 1979-1983
US Army, LTC, 1983-2004
Oak Ridge Military Academy, LTC, 2004-2005
Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan, Civ, 2005-2006
Center for Creative Leadership, Managing Director, 2006-2020
Global Leadership Services, CEO, 2020-2026
Furman University Center for Innovative Leadership, Senior Leadership Fellow, 2023-2026
AFFILIATIONS
Boy Scouts of America, Numerous positions, 2006-2012
Consortium for Humanitarian Service and Education, Founder and Mentor, 2003-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
SC House District 33, 2024-
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (2)
South Carolina Democratic Party
Planned Parenthood Votes South Atlantic
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Clemson Turregano (2026)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Clemson Turregano (2026)
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate interview. "The Importance of Non-Violence in a Democratic Process with Clemson Turregano."
Emily Mayer interviews Clemson Turregano, a military veteran running for South Carolina House District 33. They discuss the recent attempt to assassinate the former president, the importance of non-violence in a democratic process, and the need for common-sense gun reform. Clemson shares his perspective as a gun owner and emphasizes the importance of firearm safety and responsible ownership.
The Arena YouTube. 16 Jul 2024.
Candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
All governments should do everything they can to assist women in the best choices for their health.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Not my decision. It is up to the woman and her doctor.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Disagree
This is a medical question and I am not qualified to answer.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Disagree
Again, a medical and very confusing question.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Disagree
That is not what the Comstock Act says. This is a misrepresentation of the legislation. I believe we need to make the right medicines available to all women who need it. We are not doctors so why are we forcing our medical decisions on other people?
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
If we are going to have a hiqh quality workforce, we need to reflect their value. I support a much higher minimum wage.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Yes, and their responsibility to the community is also a key part of the economic system.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
First, focus on citizens as paying clients. Second, reinforce the use of the best technology to reduce overhead and meet citizens' needs faster. Third, put citizens at the center of every conversation, not partisan culture wars or bias.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Respect. When we respect everyone's beliefs, it reinforces American ideals.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
No -- a private business may refuse to provide services if it violates their moral beliefs. Chik-fil-A does this every Sunday. They are closed.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
B is the best way forward.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Choose not to answer
This question does not make sense, is too open ended and is a poor example of trying to obtain a clear answer.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Not as much as it used to be. Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon have eliminated the goodwill relationship between itself and the USA. We must remain cautious going forward. Their actions and our succumbing to them have destablized a middle east that was actually moving forward. Sad.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
Again, a biased question. There is much confusion about the term “sanctuary city.” The term is often used derisively by immigration opponents to blast what are best described as community policing policies. Critics claim that these cities and states provide “sanctuary” to undocumented immigrants, but research shows that the opposite is true. In fact, community policing policies are about providing public safety services, not sanctuary, to both immigrant residents and the entire community.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Disagree
The Department of Education plays an important role in insuring the equity of availability of education and services to many underserved communities and demographics. This is why it was created and it has served this purpose well.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Neutral
This is just such a bad question. What are you trying to say here? It is such a bad question, i don't know how to answer it.
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
And their role in the systems that support that child's education and development.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Disagree
We are not qualified to answer a question like this.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Disagree
Nah. Marriage is a cultural structure where we have added a deity to support faith traditions. True marriage is about love, not fealty.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Disagree
I don't like gambling.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe that we work with each other on this earth through practicing a love beyond belief. That is what we control and what we can do. All else is speculation.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I have no problem with people presenting a viable government ID to vote. I do protest that it needs to be a passport or the like. Any government ID will do.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
This is an unsolvable issue.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Disagree
I disagree with how this question is worded. It combines two key issues that are distinct. Do I believe biological males should participate in women's sports? No. Do I think biological males who have become females can use a bathroom? Yes.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Disagree
Absolutely. Science and experience support this conclusion.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
The power of people's brains to find the right set of answers.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Lean Liberal
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
The answer is in the word justice. Those committing a crime must be punished for violating the civil compact. In addition, we must seek ways to enable them to make their lives better.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
An error occurred on this response. The candidate wishes to say, "The answer to this question is, I agree’ not disagree."
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
This is the stupidest question in this entire survey. You don't even know what Sharia law is or would understand how this can never happen (because sharia law would not allow it).
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Gun safes, better gun training, gun licensing. As a soldier, I do not trust anyone carrying a gun because I do not know what training they have had. Anyone who buys a gun should be licensed on its proper use.
