Joanie Winters, Chester County's attorney for the last three years, and Mark Bennett, perhaps best known for driving "The Richburg Rocket" at local speedways, will square off in the June 10 primary.

Both are political rookies. They're also the only District 17 Senate candidates who live in Chester County. The district includes all of Chester and Fairfield counties and parts of Union and York counties. The post is currently held by state Sen. Linda Short, D-Chester, who has said she will retire when her term expires at the end of the year.

Here's a snapshot of each candidate:

Joanie Winters

Two words sum up Joanie Winters campaign: Home rule.

The Chester attorney said state leaders have claimed authority that should rest with local government, and she's tired of seeing the powers of cities and counties weakened.

"We've lost touch with the folks who deal with us day to day," she said about state leaders.

For example, Winters has a problem with a state statute that limits residents to voting in one primary election. Therefore, someone who wants to vote for Chester County Sheriff on June 10, a race between three Democrats, can't vote for Winters, a Republican.

Education funding is another issue that must be addressed, Winters said.

"I would ask where all this lottery money is going," she said.

Winters also wonders if state lawmakers' promise to buy new school buses last year was the right call, or if purchasing some buses could have been delayed and the money used in other areas.

She said leaders must develop a five-year plan for education spending that prioritizes the needs. A sign of the priority problem, she said, is that teachers now pay for their classroom supplies.

"I'm embarrassed that they have to do that," she said.

Winters recognizes that the district is reeling from lost industry and jobs, and her economic policy is closely tied to her views on illegal immigration. She supports the S.C. Sheriff's Association proposal to build regional prisons for holding the state's illegal immigrants as they await deportation.

"I'm all for immigration, legally," she said. "But it's folks that are here illegally who are taking the jobs from our citizens. Now, there's an argument that I've heard that, 'Well, these are jobs that Americans don't want, anyway.' I don't believe that for a minute. I know folks who have been unemployed for a very long time. They would love to have a job, even if it's in the agricultural field. It doesn't matter. It's a job."

Mark Bennett

Mark Bennett doesn't claim to be a politician.

In fact, his press release said he's most famous for driving his racecar, "The Richburg Rocket" at area tracks.

But the Richburg truck driver is dissatisfied with state leadership, and he wants to bring his conservative principles to the General Assembly. Among the issues that concern him are halting abortions and providing tax credits for parents who want to educate their children outside the public school system.

"I'm just a common man with common sense," he said. "It seems common sense doesn't have a place in government anymore."

Bennett said he would support legislation such as the ultrasound bill sponsored by state Rep. Greg Delleney, R-Chester. The original bill, which didn't pass the General Assembly, required all women seeking an abortion to sign a statement swearing they had seen ultrasound images of their fetuses.

As people become more educated, Bennett said, "more and more people are starting to actually become pro-life that have been pro-death."

Education funding must be overhauled, he said.

"We have more money than ever," he said. "And yet, the test scores are not indicating (success) and the school systems are always asking for more and more. ... You have to look at where the money is spent."

Bennett said he has a friend who is a technical advisor to school districts. His friend claims the districts are paying almost $1 million for a "very fancy VCR switcher," but the electronics in the product actually cost around $400.

Bennett also believes state lawmakers should adopt tax credits to give parents more educational choices.

State senators serve four-year terms and are paid $10,400 annually, plus $1,000 per month for expenses such as gasoline and office supplies.