G. Gail Parker for US Senate Special Election August 11, 2026
Positive Concession Speech August 12
Good evening, everyone.
Last night, the voters have spoken, and while the final result is not the outcome we worked so hard for, I stand before you with a full heart, deep gratitude, and tremendous pride in what we have accomplished together.
First, I want to congratulate Senator Darline Graham and Representative Ralph Norman on forcing a run-off. Public service is a serious responsibility, and I sincerely wish each wisdom, strength, and success in serving all of the people—whether they voted for them, for us, or for someone else. Further I hardily congratulate all of the other candidates.
Participating is winning!
To every person that supported me and believed in this campaign when others said it could not be done: thank you. You proved that courage does not require a party label, that conviction does not need permission, and that ordinary citizens can still shape public conversation.
Some will look at tonight’s numbers and call this a loss. But I see something different. I see a movement that gave people a choice. I see people who had been ignored finding their voice and in one case courageously demanded to be heard. I see Democrats, Republicans, independents, and first-time voters standing together around ideas instead of labels. That is not defeat. That is progress.
We entered this race because too many people felt left out of a system that often rewards division over solutions. We ran to prove that independent candidates can compete with integrity, speak honestly, and put community ahead of party politics. Today confirms that the desire for a more open, respectful, and responsive democracy is alive and growing.
Our campaign changed the conversation. We raised issues others were forced to address. We listened where others lectured. We built bridges where others built walls. And most importantly, we reminded people that their vote is not owned by any party—it belongs to them.
So today, we do not walk away discouraged. We walk forward determined. The campaign may end, but the work continues. The friendships we formed, the ideas we advanced, and the citizens we inspired will carry on beyond this election.
To those who supported us, I ask you not to give up. Stay involved. Attend meetings. Hold leaders accountable. Run for office. Support independent voices. Keep asking hard questions, keep offering better answers, and keep believing that politics can be worthy of the people it serves.
Today, we concede an election, but we do not concede our values. We do not concede our hope. We do not concede the future to cynicism, division, or fear.
Nor do we concede that power in a democracy belongs only to the wealthy. In this two-week campaign, I spent only $13K, including the filing fee.
We leave this race stronger than we entered it, and we move forward knowing that every independent voice raised in good faith makes our democracy stronger. Participating is winning.
Thank you, God bless you and let us keep building a future together that is safer, more affordable, and full of hope.
On the Stump in Charleston
Myrtle Beach Interview
Parker Platform Emphasizes Family as Glue of Society
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2008
CONTACT: Joseph Oddo, Campaign Coordinator
bettercandidates@gmail.com | (703) 338-0200
GlendaGailParker.com
G. Gail Parker Launches Platform Emphasizing Family as the Primary Glue of Society
The household is the foundational unit of self-government, character formation, and social trust. Strong families are the bedrock of a healthy, self-governing society. Long before government intervenes, the family unit serves as the primary source of security, character formation, and social trust. When families thrive, communities become safer, local institutions grow stronger, and public reliance on centralized bureaucracy drops.
G. Gail Parker is placing family support at the center of the campaign agenda—framing household stability not as a culture war debate, but as an economic and civic necessity.
"A free and prosperous society isn't built from the top down—it’s built from the kitchen table up," says Parker while she shares a photo of five generations of her own family – her mother 100 years old last year.
"The family is the original unit of self-government and the ultimate social safety net. When we weaken the household, we force government to step in as a poor substitute. Our platform focuses on empowering parents, easing financial burdens on working households, and ensuring public policy protects the family as the primary glue holding our communities together."
Today at the Low Country Stump in Charleston, Parker will expand upon the priorities that support local family stability. That includes targeted tax relief for growing families, safeguarding parental rights in education, and promoting local economic conditions that make it affordable to raise a family on a single income.
"A free and prosperous society isn't built from the top down—it’s built from the kitchen table up. The family is the original unit of self-government and the ultimate social safety net." — Glenda Gail Parker
Key priorities under this pillar include:
- Household Economic Relief: Enacting targeted policies that reduce the financial burden on working families.
- Parental Rights & Educational Freedom: Protecting the fundamental right of parents to direct their children’s education, healthcare, and moral upbringing.
- Strengthening Local Support Networks: Promoting community conditions that support stable households and ease economic pressures on raising children.
G. Gail Parker will present more details of her platform during a campaign town hall on Friday, August 7 at Grande Dunes Meeting Room (6201 Marina Pkwy, Myrtle Beach) starting at 10:00 am til Noon.
Members of the press and public are invited to attend.
To read the full policy platform or learn more about the campaign, visit GlendaGailParker.com.
About Glenda Gail Parker
G. Gail Parker is running for US Senate to deliver accountable, transparent, and citizen-focused leadership.
Major Parker is a retired Pentagon budget analyst with 36 years of service as a civil servant. She understands Federal Appropriations and legislation.
She is a retired GS/GM 15, a retired Air Force Officer and veteran, a parent of three children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
What are the biggest issues South Carolinians face, and how would you address them in the U.S. Senate? The key challenges include affordability, weather extremes, traffic, and development issues. Costs rose 3.5% in June, and gas prices are once again climbing in the state. To tackle cost-of-living challenges and improve affordability for South Carolinians in the U.S. Senate, I would advocate for measures that reduce the demand for fossil fuels. This approach will lower transportation costs, which in turn will help reduce prices for many goods and services. It also involves investing in alternative transportation and energy solutions. For ongoing updates about this initiative, please consider signing up for email updates on our website launch, or feel free to reach out through our contact form.