GOP rolls out its 2006 slate of candidates

Nominees for statewide offices thank voters, focus on fall

By AARON GOULD SHEININ

asheinin@thestate.com

S.C. Republican Party chairman Katon Dawson on Wednesday predicted the GOP would sweep all nine statewide contests in November, much to the glee of the candidates standing behind him.

A day after the statewide ballot was finalized in runoff elections, Dawson and seven of the party’s nine standard-bearers gathered at the Marriott hotel in downtown Columbia. Incumbent Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who won a narrow runoff victory Tuesday, and incumbent Secretary of State Mark Hammond were absent.

Each candidate spoke, including Attorney General Henry McMaster, the only one not facing a Democratic Party opponent.

One after another, the six men and one woman thanked the other candidates and voters and said they look forward to the fall campaign. Speaking were: Gov. Mark Sanford, McMaster, treasurer candidate Thomas Ravenel, incumbent Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom, incumbent Adjutant General Stan Spears, incumbent Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers and education superintendent candidate Karen Floyd.

After the news conference, Sanford — who refused to debate his primary opponent — said he would “absolutely” debate his general election opponent, Sen. Tommy Moore, D-Aiken.

Ravenel, who faces incumbent Democrat Grady Patterson in November, said if he is elected he will stay in the job “until I complete the job.”

Ravenel would not directly say that he would serve all four years and not seek another office, such as the U.S. Senate. Ravenel has been dogged by speculation that he will challenge U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., in the 2008 Republican primary. Ravenel has refused to specifically rule that out.

The chairman of the S.C. Democratic Party said Dawson’s enthusiasm is “misguided.”

“We’ve got a great ticket, and we can’t wait to compete against his,” Joe Erwin said.

Erwin added that the Democrats will hold a similar event to present the party’s candidates. It likely will be next week.

Reach Gould Sheinin at (803) 771-8658.