Name: Bobbie Rose

Age: 54

Party: Democrat

Office you are seeking: U.S. House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District

Number of years living in the area you seek to represent: On and off since age 10; established a permanent residence here in 2006

Family: Husband, Tom Ucciferri; two children, ages 18 and 17

Education: Bachelor of Arts from City University of New York

Current occupation/employer: Self-employed, residential rental property owner/manager

Employment, military and volunteer history: Former educator, real estate broker, small-business owner; member of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Gospel Choir; S.C. Aquarium Touch Tank volunteer

Please list all public offices to which you've been elected, when and where: None

Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office and when: None

Other prior political and government experience: None

Key endorsements you've received: Alliance for Retired Americans, South Carolina AFL-CIO, Working Families Party, retired Army Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy, National Women's Political Caucus, state Rep. J. Seth Whipper, state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, state Rep. David Mack III, state Rep. Wendell Gilliard, state Rep. Robert Brown, state Rep. Joseph Jefferson, state Rep. Lonnie Hosey, Charleston County Councilman A. "Vic" Rawl

Contributions: $110,000 between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30

Expenditures: $96,054 between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30

Biggest contributor: Carole Ucciferri of New York, N.Y., $2,500

Why should people vote for you?

A representative is supposed to represent the people of the district, not just corporate donors. I've managed both a family and businesses, so I understand the issues that affect the people of this district -- employment, costs of living, benefits they've earned but that are at risk, and education for our children. Scott hasn't addressed these issues, however. Instead of representing constituents, he has only served corporations. I'll provide the representation this community needs and deserves.

What are the three most important issues you would address if elected? How?

Education and income are other issues that are important in my campaign. I have to add, and not only from my own perspective, but that of a majority of the voters in this district, women's rights protection, too. Scott has repeatedly voted against women's interests.

What specific steps will you take to make government more open and accessible to the public?

I'll have an office here in Beaufort County, of course, and I'll make sure it's in a publicly-accessible location. I will also have regular Town Hall meetings in the community. Let me point out that my Town Hall gatherings will be nonpartisan, too -- they'll be for everyone in the community, not just those of any one political party. Scott's few public meetings always seem to been done in conjunction with political groups.

Have you ever been convicted of a crime (felony), been disciplined by a professional licensing board or organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so, please give the details. No.

Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your federal, state or local taxes? If so, please give the details. No.

Are there any personal details about yourself that voters would be interested in knowing?

My son, Vincent, turned six years old on Sept. 11, 2001 in New York City. He was unaware that a life-altering crisis was unfolding around him, and knew only that it was supposed to be "his day." As a mother, combining profound shock, disbelief and heartbreak with a birthday celebration was a tough balancing act, and one that I have never forgotten. I learned and we can and we must, always be aware and responsive to those events that change our futures and our world, while never forgetting the immediate and no less important needs of our youngest, most trusting and most vulnerable members of our society.