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Fiscally Conservative Republican for
South Carolina House – District 1

Craig "Carpe" Diem

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About Craig Diem

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Craig Diem isn’t a career politician, he’s a Christian neighbor, a retired businessman, and a problem solver by trade. With a career rooted in mechanical engineering and manufacturing management, Craig spent decades navigating complex systems, managing large-scale budgets, and delivering results. He’s running for State Representative because he believes Columbia has lost sight of the hardworking families in District 1.

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Craig views the state budget through the lens of an engineer: he sees the waste, the bureaucracy, and the inefficiencies holding South Carolina back. His platform is built on common-sense solutions: fixing our aging infrastructure, protecting our neighborhoods, and rooting out the fraud that burdens taxpayers. For Craig, it’s about shifting the power out of the hands of bureaucrats and back to the people of South Carolina.

Lower Taxes, Less Waste, Local Opportunity

Positions

Responsible Spending
  • Cut wasteful government spending
  • Demand accountability for every taxpayer dollar
  • Support balanced state budgets without raising taxes
  • Prioritize roads, schools, and public safety in our communities
Lower Taxes, More Opportunity
  • Keep taxes low for working families, retirees and businesses
  • Oppose unnecessary tax increases
  • Support job growth across Oconee and Pickens Counties
  • Champion small businesses, trades and local employers
Limited Government that Works
  • Cut red tape that hurts small businesses and property owners
  • Increase transparency in state spending
  • Keep decisions local – not controlled by bureaucrats in Columbia
Protect Our Future
  • Reduce state debt and spending growth
  • Promote responsible, long-term budgeting
  • Support workforce development and practical education pathways
Focused on Our Community
  • Smart, responsible growth that protects our way of life
  • Infrastructure improvements without wasteful spending
  • Putting local families, not special interests, first

Responses to Concerns

Professional Experience

First and foremost, my loyalty is fully and completely to the United States, South Carolina, and the citizens of District 1. If elected as State Representative, I will support policies that protect South Carolina from foreign government influence, especially involving critical infrastructure, land purchases, and strategic industries.

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I want everyone to know clearly and directly: 

  • I have no financial ties, ownership interests, consulting arrangements, or ongoing business relationships with BWI, BeijingWest, China, or any Chinese-owned company.

  • I have never directly worked for the Chinese government or the Chinese Communist Party.

  • I am not bound by any agreement that limits my ability to speak openly and honestly.

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Here are the key facts of my professional business experience:

  • I joined General Motors out of college in 1983.

  • General Motors formed Delphi Automotive in 2007 to separate the car manufacturing business from the component manufacturing business.

  • Delphi Automotive sold their chassis business, which is where I was employed, to Beijing West Industries (BWI) in 2009.

  • I continued my career, specifically with BWI North America, until my retirement in 2020.

  • Again, I never directly worked for the Chinese government or the Chinese Communist Party.

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I believe my professional business experience in the automotive component manufacturing industry over all these years, gave me firsthand insight into the economic challenges South Carolina and America faces from China and the importance of strengthening domestic manufacturing, protecting strategic assets, and prioritizing South Carolina and American workers.

 

If elected, this business experience is what I will bring to the citizens of District 1 and South Carolina so we can eliminate waste and put resources to those issues most important to these constituents.

Residency

I have been asked how I will represent the citizens of Oconee County since I am resident of Pickens County.

 

Here is my response to those questions: 

  • If elected, I would represent District 1, which is composed of Oconee and Pickens Counties.

  • I don’t see the position of State Representative as choosing one county versus another.

  • I will represent all voters of District 1, as they are my constituents.

  • I have spoken with citizens in District 1 and met with many voters, leaders, business owners, community outreach leaders, and political organizations — I don’t see a difference in the needs of voters living in either county.

  • By far, the number one issue I have heard from these conversations is the condition of our roads and bridges.

  • I have also heard from many of their concerns regarding too much growth and land development, of our need for improvements in our schools, of the wastefulness of tax dollars in Columbia, of taxes being too high (both income and property) and many more.

 

These are the things I will fight for when I am your representative.

Accessibility

  • If elected, I have plans to have an office in Oconee County, most likely in Walhalla. This would be in addition to my home office in Pickens County. I have always made myself available throughout my career and I believe feedback is the only way to make improvements and drive change.

  • I will respond to e-mail and voice messages as promptly as possible.

  • For those that worry I am an “outsider” and don’t know the values and needs of a “real” resident, I plan to form an advisory committee consisting of residents from both Oconee and Pickens counties. This group would meet once a month — and more often if necessary — to discuss the most important issues we all face.

 

I am running to serve the great people of Oconee and Pickens Counties, my friends, and neighbors.

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We need to eliminate waste and make improvements in government, and our government needs to represent the people, not special interests.

 

We can make a difference and make meaningful changes when we all work together.

Get Connected

Multi choice

I’m running to represent you, and that starts with listening. Whether you have a concern about a local road, a question about our state budget, or an idea to make our neighborhood even better, I want to hear it. Please drop me a message. I value your perspective and look forward to connecting with you.

Vote June 9th

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