Frankland Watts
Limiting AI, an equitable future for working classes, and county governance reform are three cornerstones that Wellford resident Frankland Watts intends to support if elected to Spartanburg County Council District 6, on Nov. 3.
Watts, who works for the Greenville County School District with students who have severe medical and intellectual disabilities, is seeking his first elected office mainly because “the challenges facing our community demand attention.”
“Over 45,000 Spartanburg County residents, including 13,000 children, live in poverty,” he said. “I believe local government is the first line of defense for the working class. I intend to pursue meaningful changes through worker protection ordinances and reforms to how our elected officials conduct business.”
Watts outlined these specifics:
• Limiting Artificial Intelligence. Part of Watts’ stance comes from County Council’s initial plans in late 2025 to approve the location of a $3 billion data center in the county. A near-open resident revolt forced members to unanimously defeat the measure on third and final reading.
Watts is prepared to bring a 5-step policy plan to stop this kind of AI intrusion, including a three-year data center moratorium, an ordinance prohibiting county agencies from replacing jobs with AI, and increased oversight of OneSpartanburg, Inc.
“The plan also includes prohibiting County Council members from signing non-disclosure agreements,” Watts said. “Every action taken by the Council should be subject to full transparency and accountability to the people it serves.”
• Equitable Future. With a focus on affordable housing, public transportation, infrastructure, recreational spaces, and working families, Watts outlined the following: restore community development department funding to previous levels and make those funds a priority for housing production; update zoning to allow mixed-used development near industrial centers and high-employment areas; create a workforce transit route, in partnership with SPARTA, to connect industrial parks and close proximity neighborhoods; a 12-month pilot program with ridership targets, with design routes around shift-based work schedules.
“I have also remained actively engaged in the community, raising over $2,000 in partnership with local small businesses to support the Upstate’s homeless population, and helping provide more than 50 essential care packages to those in need, “ he said. “Through these experiences, including struggling with post-graduate unemployment and student-loan debt, I have developed an understanding of the pressures facing young people and our working families.”
• County Governance Reform. As with all other new candidates, Watts placed this focus at the top of the list. He cited two examples of government contracts awarded to businesses owned by elected officials, further saying that these arrangements “raise serious questions about corruption within County Council.”
“I would introduce an ordinance prohibiting any County Council member and their businesses from entering into contracts with Spartanburg County,” Watts said. “This reform would prevent conflicts of interest, strengthen ethical standards, and protect taxpayer dollars. I believe corruption is one of the biggest obstacles preventing Spartanburg County from reaching its full potential. County Council’s top priority should be putting constituents first by addressing their needs, listening to their concerns, and showing up. That is the standard of leadership I will bring.”
