Emily Bagwell’s first experience with politics came when she wrote a letter to the State Dept. of Transportation urging a different direction for a road widening. She was 5 years old.
Now, 12 years later and a senior at Summerville High School, she is poised to take a giant next step in the political world.
When Dorchester Democrats convene Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Ridgeville Town Hall for their county convention, Bagwell is the only announced candidate for third vice-chair of the party. Under state Democratic rules, third vice-chair is reserved for a member under the age of 30.
Bagwell, 17, definitely fits that bill. Lately, she has been busy meeting Democrats all over the county as she has been trying to catch up. She still has never voted, but looks forward to May when she turns 18 years old and gains the right to vote.
“The only way a party can grow is through young people in both the county and state party,” Dorchester Democratic Party Chairman A.J. Glover said. After four years, Glover will relinquish the chairman role at the convention.
“One thing when I laid out my goals was to get a Young Democrats organization going in Dorchester County,” Glover said. He hopes Bagwell and others will now work to promote it. It’s a goal that could be met by meeting another goal: Glover hopes the county party will elect at least five delegates to the state convention, which takes place in May.
Emily says her Democratic leanings were developed at a young age based upon her beliefs.
“Democrats feel they need to solve social issues on a government level. While some say we can’t do that, I think we can,” says Bagwell of the appeal of the Democratic party.
“There are a lot of closet Democrats in the county. I’m not afraid to show it though,” she adds.
She plans on enrolling at the College of Charleston in August and majoring in Elementary Education, where she has already been accepted as a teaching fellow.
At SHS, she’s involved in Model United Nations, Future Educators’ Association, track and cross-country, peer mediation and serves as president of the Wave’s Habitat for Humanity club. All this, while also working at Carolina Speech and Language as an office assistant.
“I want to make a difference on some level. The turning point for me was Girls’ State in June. I learned how government works in a mock setting,” Bagwell said.
She sees similarities in teaching and politics. They both work at the grassroots level, something that draws her to both.
Beyond a career in education, she also would like to be involved in politics one day. Her goals are to be a state senator and then eventually a state superintendent of education.
“I know they are lofty, but if I accomplish them, that’s all I can ask for,” Bagwell says.
But, for now, the focus is on the county convention.
Among the items to be taken up at the convention is the election of party officers and Bagwell hopes to be elected to the third vice-chair slot. Other announced candidates include: Steve Yeomans and Nancy Seufert both vying for chairman of the party; Susen Shapiro and Marty Turney are announced candidates for the female state executive committee spot; and Summerville Mayor Pro-Tem Aaron Brown and David Rison for the male state executive committee member.
Beyond party officers, Glovers says there will be a few resolutions considered and a move to adopt the state party platform for the county. Nothing he believes that will be controversial.
First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe will give the keynote speech at the convention.

Contact Ryan Castle at 973-9424 ext. 216 or rcastle@journalscene.com.