He learned the importance of faith and family, of hard work and self-reliance from his parents. His dad Tommy is a lifelong farmer; mom Vicki taught in Darlington County elementary schools for 30 years.

Faith is an essential part of J.D.'s life. He's a member of Black Creek Baptist Church in Dovesville, one of South Carolina's oldest Baptist churches. And he completed his education at Charleston Southern University, a faith-based college, where he received a degree in history.

J.D. gives back to his community by helping shape our state's next generation of leaders through his active involvement in the Boy Scouts of America. An Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's honor organization, he also serves as an assistant Scoutmaster for troop 523 of Hartsville.

While in high school, he was an avid member of the Future Farmers of America, serving as chapter president his senior year and winning the regional Star Farmer award.

In fact, working on his family's farm played a key role in molding J.D.'s character. He was in the tobacco fields at an early age, setting young stalks back in place after driving storms and wiping burning sap off his face as he cropped the plants. Because harvest time doesn't care if you're bone tired or don't feel well. The crop must come in, regardless of your situation. J.D. learned that lesson not from reading, but from doing. And he developed determination and perseverance as a result.

Now J.D. Chaplin wants to apply those traits as your next State Senator, where he will serve you by working hard to make sure Chesterfield, Darlington, Lee, and Marlboro Counties voices are heard in Columbia.