John Courson S. C. State Senator John Courson (R- Richland) is running for re- election this November. He's held the position since 1984. So far, no opposition has surfaced. The deadline for filing to run as a Democrat has passed.

Courson was born in Augusta, Ga., where his father was a conductor for the Atlantic Coast Line railroad's passenger service. He has an older brother who still lives in Augusta and works in real estate. His older sister also lives in Augusta, and she works part- time in real estate with the older brother.

Courson attended Augusta public schools. He finished high school at Richmond Academy, founded in 1781.

He entered USC, majoring in both international studies and political science. His first foray into politics was a failure. He lost his run- off race for the student senate. While still an undergraduate, he met his future wife, Columbia's Lisa Exum.

Courson has three children. His oldest son Jay is job searching in California. His middle child, daughter Elizabeth, is in early childhood education. The youngest, Harris, is 12 years old and is entering Hand Middle School this fall.

Major League Baseball and passenger trains combine as Courson's major hobby. By 1996, Courson had visited every state mostly by train. His two favorite teams to follow and visit are the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox, probably partly because of their cities and the train service to get there.

In 1964, Courson was a Goldwater Republican when U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond also backed Goldwater and left the Democrats to become a Republican.

In his senior year, the early summer of 1968, Courson left school to enter the Marine Corps Reserves. By December, he completed his training. and by January, he returned to school.

In 1975, Courson went to work for Keenan & Brinklee Insurance. In 1984, Brinklee was bought out, and in 1991, Courson was on the team that bought out Keenan.

In 2001, Courson sold his interest in the company, by then called Keenan & Suggs, but he stayed on board as their senior vice president.

Courson's first run for the S.C. State Senate was successful when he defeated the incumbent, Sen. Hyman Rubin.

Looking back on his 24 years in the Senate, Courson points to three areas that have taken most of his attention: (1) education, (2) economic development and fiscal conservatism, (3) conservation and other environmental issues.

On education, Courson cites the state's 60% increase in appropriations over the past decade. A more dramatic increase is in the gain in state- sponsored scholarships. In 1995- 1996, between tuition grants and money funneled through Palmetto Scholars, $20 million was distributed. Last year, the state distributed $300 million in scholarships.

Overall, 56% of total state appropriations end up in education.

Out of the 47,000 teachers in the state's public schools, less than 1% are African- American males. Courson supports the "Call Me Mister" program, which was begun by former Clemson football standout, Jeff Davis. "Call Me Mister" guides African- American men into teaching in South Carolina.

In matters of economic development, Courson recalls he has never voted for a tax increase.

Conservation activism, Courson says, bolsters the state's largest industry, tourism. Adding more waste storage cannot happen in a conservation state focused on tourism, and Courson is seeing to it.