Dist. 44 Candidates

John West

AGE: 50.

FAMILY: Wife, Priscilla; daughter, Claire, 24; sons, Marshall, 22, Cam 22, Mason, 20, Connor, 17, and Cooper, 14.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Berkeley High School, 1975; Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from the University of South Carolina, 1978, attended a Master's program in public administration at USC, 1979; attained a law degree from the USC School of Law, 1982.

OCCUPATION: Attorney.

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: Ran and won a special election for Moncks Corner mayor in 1993. Served until 1996.

WHY YOU ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE: Berkeley County is home. I want to fight to protect the values that are important to my family, my friends and my community.

THE TOUGHEST ISSUES FACING YOUR DISTRICT: Illegal immigration. It's what's on people's minds. We've done many focus groups, talked to a lot of people from many groups and walks of life, and they see this as the biggest threat to the quality of life here in Berkeley County.

Paul Campbell

AGE: 60.

FAMILY: Wife, Vicki; daughters Christie, 38, and Caroline, 19; son Jeremy, 35; and four grandchildren.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Lewisville High School in Richburg, 1964; Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Clemson, 1968; master's degree in Business Administration from Jacksonville State University, 1978.

OCCUPATION: Retired Southeast Region president for Alcoa. Owns consulting firm Paul Campbell LLC.

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: None.

WHY YOU ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE: I think I can bring a sense of business to state government. I can help it become more efficient and effective and reduce taxes. I understand job creation, meeting payrolls, profit-loss in a business and I can bring this perspective to Berkeley County with constituent service.

THE TOUGHEST ISSUES FACING YOUR DISTRICT: Education is probably No. 1. Illegal immigration is an issue, as are congestion, growth and preserving the Lowcountry quality of life in Berkeley County.