Dea Baldwin of North Augusta has announced that she will run as a Republican for S.C. House District 83, which includes North Augusta, Belvedere and part of Merriwether in Edgefield County.

Baldwin hopes to succeed Don Smith, who decided against seeking re-election after 10 years in office.

"I'm looking to the future," Baldwin said of her candidacy. "In the 70 state agencies, there is a lot of duplication of services. There's a need to do some streamlining but not reducing services."

She also believes that the executive branch and the state legislature must establish a balance of power. According to Baldwin, the governor needs to appoint the state superintendent and secretary of state.

That's especially important for the education superintendent; the governor should be held accountable on how children are performing and how education is being funded and supported, she said.

"People know that I have a real passion and interest in education," Baldwin said.

Eighty-five percent of all students in the state attend public schools, she said in a press release. Therefore, legislative revision of the public school funding formula can no longer be ignored, she said.

But the public must also be assured that their tax dollars are well spent by eliminating waste and inefficiency, Baldwin said. The state's willingness to invest in education will demonstrate its commitment to future generations and to businesses interested in relocating to South Carolina, she said.

Baldwin chairs a state-level advisory council that works with the State Department of Education on the needs of students with disabilities. She has gotten the opportunity to talk with State Superintendent Dr. Jim Rex and State Board of Education members and has attended conferences in Washington, D.C.

"Through that process, I've learned about many areas of education, including funding, accountability and education standards," Baldwin said.

A resident of North Augusta for 20 years, she is married to Guy Baldwin. They have three sons, two daughters and seven grandchildren. She holds a Master of Social Work and a Master of Family Resources and has earned graduate credits in public management. Her professional work experience includes social services to the elderly, school social work and medical social work in the areas of obstetrics and pediatrics.

Her interest in legislation, Baldwin said, began with a college internship with the Virginia General Assembly.

She believes that state government must prove itself accountable and transparent. Legislators, she said in the press release, must have the courage to deal with current challenges.