Promising to bring an end to "politics as usual in Columbia", former Town Councilman Joe Bustos announced his candidacy for S.C. House of Representatives District 112, which encompasses Sullivan's Island, Isle or Palms, and portions of Mount Pleasant.

Bustos, a retired Lt. Colonel in the United States Army, served nine years on Mount Pleasant Town Council, where he was regarded as an advocate for the taxpayers and a staunch fiscally conservative voice. He regularly spoke out against projects which were wasteful and unnecessary, and became known as an "independent voice" that represented the people instead of the special interest groups or political power-brokers.

Bustos said the incumbent has scored poorly on scorecards of current House members prepared by fiscal conservative groups such as the Club for Growth.

"We need to make sure our representative to the State House is part of the solution, not part of the problem," Bustos said.

As a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College, Bustos spent a career as a highly-trained leader of our fighting men and women in the military.

"I want to put those leadership skills to work in the State House to help bring about the needed reforms our state badly needs," Bustos said.

"I will also work to protect the quality of life we enjoy in the East Cooper community," Bustos said. "One of my top priorities will be preserving our neighborhood-atmosphere for future generations."

Joe and his wife Kathy operate two small businesses in Mount Pleasant, he understands the perspective of both residents and businessmen, he said.

Bustos was raised in Mount Pleasant and graduated from Gen. William Moultrie High School. He enlisted in the US Army in 1970, graduated from Officer Candidate School and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel of Infantry in 1995. He received a bachelor's degree from Columbia College, a Master's Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University and is a resident graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College.

Bustos has served for nine years on the Mount Pleasant Town Council chairing the Planning, Water Supply, Bids and Purchases, Personnel and Fire Committees. He served four years on the Mount Pleasant Water Works as a ex-Officio Commissioner and for the last three years has represented Mount Pleasant on the Charleston Area Regional Transit Authority. Bustos is married to the former Kathy Comar of Mount Pleasant and together they own Bustos Travel Service and he is a flight instructor. They have two children and one grandchild.

Joe and Kathy attend Stella Maris Catholic Church on Sullivan's Island.