Republican Candidates Unite Around Parental Rights in SC

Columbia, South Carolina, October 10, 2025

News Summary

In South Carolina, the gubernatorial race intensifies as Republican candidates, including Josh Kimbrell, support the Moms for Liberty’s Parental Rights Pledge. This initiative underscores the rising influence of parental rights movements. With influential endorsements and a commitment to prioritizing parental authority in education and health decisions, candidates signal a shift in educational governance. The movement is met with counteractions from groups like Educated We Stand, advocating for public education and opposing perceived extremism.

Columbia, South Carolina – The gubernatorial race in South Carolina is heating up as all Republican candidates have embraced Moms for Liberty’s Parental Rights Pledge, underscoring the growing influence of parental rights movements in the state. State Senator Josh Kimbrell recently launched his gubernatorial campaign and signed the pledge, committing to establish an office dedicated to parental rights if elected, which has become an unofficial requirement among GOP candidates seeking nomination.

Kimbrell has asserted that his primary objective is to ensure that “parents, not the government,” play the predominant role in raising their children, a sentiment echoed by his fellow candidates. The Moms for Liberty advocacy group, founded in Florida, is currently able to boast a presence in 48 states, with 16 chapters and approximately 4,000 members in South Carolina alone.

The organization’s parental pledge emphasizes parental dominance over decisions regarding their children’s education, medical care, and moral upbringing, all while opposing any perceived government overreach. Ashley Jones, the state legislative chair for the group, highlighted the significance of the pledge in promoting awareness surrounding parental rights.

The Pledge has attracted a variety of signatories, including well-known Republican figures like Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman. An additional 23 Republican members of the South Carolina General Assembly have also affixed their names to it, signaling broad support within the party.

Moms for Liberty has expanded its reach by endorsing candidates for local school board positions and lobbying for parental involvement in decisions regarding their children’s medical needs and vaccinations. The group has gained notoriety for its initiatives aimed at removing certain books from school libraries, causing discussions surrounding educational content across the state.

Scott Huffmon, director of the Winthrop University Poll, noted that advocacy groups like Moms for Liberty streamline information for voters, providing clarity on candidates’ positions. Local chapters collaborate under a unified national message, advancing legislative agendas that safeguard children’s rights as defined by parental authority.

Current Republican gubernatorial challengers, including Kimbrell, Evette, and Joe Wilson, have actively participated in Moms for Liberty events and have affirmed their commitment to parental rights in education. Despite the group’s significant clout within the political landscape, it has opted not to endorse any candidates for state legislative races or the upcoming gubernatorial election.

Amidst the rise of Moms for Liberty, a counter-group called Educated We Stand has emerged, aiming to promote public education and resistance against what they term “far-right extremism” in education. Its new chair, Karla Hernández-Mats, has criticized Moms for Liberty’s tactics, accusing them of fostering fear and censorship within public education systems.

The rise of parental rights initiatives continues to ignite conversations around educational policies, indicating their potential impact on the upcoming elections in South Carolina. As candidates align themselves with these movements, the stakes for educational governance and parental involvement in schools have never been higher.

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Additional Resources

• USA Today: Banned Books Perspectives
• Wikipedia: Parental Rights in the United States
• Florida Today: Brevard School Board Meeting
• Google Search: Moms for Liberty
• Rev: McMahon and Moms for Liberty on Parental Rights
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Education

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