Sylvia Wright, a Democrat, is running for South Carolina Superintendent of Education in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election. She faces Republican incumbent Ellen Weaver and United Citizens candidate Baba Amin Ojuok.

Wright won the Democratic primary on June 9, defeating Lisa Ellis. Asked in our candidate questionnaire about her work history, Wright said: "Classroom Teacher, Department Leader, School Coordinator, Instructional Coach, District Coordinator, and Adjunct Professor."

Wright has no previous elected or appointed office.

Candidate information

Party: Democratic

Education: In our questionnaire, Wright listed a "Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education- Major: English Minor: Social Studies" from Fayetteville State University in 2003, a "Master of Education in Divergent Learning" from Columbia College in 2005, a "Master of Arts in History" from Texas Tech University in 2016, a "Master of Education in Educational Leadership, School Administration" and a "Specialist in Educational Leadership, School Superintendent" from The Citadel in 2022 and 2024, and a "Doctor of Education, Education Systems Improvement" from the University of South Carolina, which she listed as expected in 2027.

Family: Wright said in our questionnaire: "My son is the oldest. He is 26. He is a Military Instructor for the US Air Force, and he is currently stationed in Texas. My daughter is graduating from Nursing school in December."

Hometown: Wright was born and raised in North Charleston, South Carolina, and graduated from Fort Dorchester High School, according to her campaign website.

Experience and public service

Wright said on her campaign website that her teaching career began in 2004 at Mayewood Middle School in Sumter, South Carolina, and that she has over 20 years of experience. Her resume lists positions at schools across South Carolina and Texas, including Deer Park Middle School, Early College High School in Charleston County and Dorchester School District 4. She also served as an adjunct professor at Charleston Southern University, according to her resume.

Wright's resume lists community service including mentoring through the Lauro Cavazos and Ophelia Powell-Malone Mentoring Program at Texas Tech University and membership in the Goose Creek NAACP.

On the issues

What she would change first: Asked what she would change first as superintendent, Wright said in our questionnaire: "The first thing I will change as Superintendent is the narrative about education. I love being a teacher! I love my profession! I want others to see the side of education that is not often advertised or highlighted."

Private school vouchers: Asked about the state's voucher program, Wright said in our questionnaire: "Every child deserves access to high quality education, not just a select few. There are almost 800,000 students in South Carolina, and there are only 15,000 vouchers." She added: "Private school vouchers take money away from public schools, 1/4 of a billion dollars so far, and there is no data to prove that vouchers are effective and an efficient use of taxpayer dollars."

Differences from the incumbent: Asked about critical differences between herself and other candidates, Wright said in our questionnaire: "Ellen Weaver has never been a teacher or worked in education. I've been an educator for over 20 years and worked on every level." She also said: "I have experience in educational leadership at the school and district level."

Teacher pipeline: Wright said she wants to collaborate with South Carolina universities and tech schools and provide free tuition in exchange for five years of teaching, according to WIS. She also said she would expand the Teacher Loan Program that forgives student debt for teachers who stay in South Carolina, according to the SC Daily Gazette.

Pre-K and school safety: Wright said she would push for universal pre-K for all 4-year-olds regardless of income status, according to the SC Daily Gazette. She also said she wants to address school safety beyond physical security, including mold growth and overcrowded classrooms.

Candidate questionnaire responses were collected by the Fort Mill-Tega Cay Times. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words.