Senate

Our choices for the contested tri-county Senate seats:

LARRY GROOMS, a Republican senator from District 37, is a strong supporter of restructuring, and his collegiality should be useful in achieving Senate support.

A small businessman, he believes that improved educational opportunities are vital and that a two-cent sales tax proposal could offer both property tax relief and more funding equity for public education statewide.

District 37 includes portions of four Lowcountry counties, and contains some of the most important conservation areas in the state, including the ACE Basin and Beidler Forest. He pledges his support for their protection and his Senate committee has a key role in that important goal.

GLENN McCONNELL has been the governor's strongest ally in the Senate, and can be expected to use his authority as President Pro Tem and his profound knowledge of Senate procedure to get the rules changes necessary to advance the governor's agenda.

He incorporated most of the governor's restructuring plan in a comprehensive bill blocked by a few senators last session and would return to that campaign early next session.

A lawyer and businessman, the GOP senator from District 41 supports tort reform, and has been a powerful ally of preserving the state's natural environment. His commitment to reform was tested in the overhaul of the Public Service Commission. His perseverance was key to passage of a comprehensive bill that will provide greater protections for consumers.

MAURICE WASHINGTON would bring a fresh perspective to the Senate and should be elected to the District 42 seat. Running as an Independent, he supports economic development and views infrastructure improvements and job creation as keys to fighting poverty. He supports restructuring and cutting the state income tax. He also backs tort reform.

The former Charleston city councilman has demonstrated his leadership as chairman of the S.C. State University Board of Trustees, helping to turn its troubled finances around and bringing in new leadership. That experience should help him hit the ground running in Columbia.

CHIP CAMPSEN, a Republican and former House member running in District 43, correctly describes the current framework of state government as "dysfunctional," with the governor controlling only about 20 percent of its operations.

As former legislative liaison for Gov. Sanford, Mr. Campsen worked to advance his agenda in the Statehouse. He can be expected to do the same in the Senate.

Mr. Campsen proved himself in the House as a champion of the environment, sponsoring two vitally important pieces of conservation-related legislation.

A lawyer, Mr. Campsen supports tort reform and would like to see more lottery money directed to K-12. Most importantly, he will be a strong supporter of the governor's efforts at reducing waste and duplication.

WILLIAM MESCHER, a Republican representing District 44, is former director of the state's Santee Cooper utility.

He supports government restructuring and has proved his ability to take a practical look at government and recommend solutions, regardless of their popularity.

He sponsored a bill, for example, to eliminate the second medical school, recognizing that this state can ill afford such costly duplication. Similarly, he says the Department of Transportation, which he describes as "bankrupt," needs greater resources and believes a gas tax increase is the only solution.

He backs the governor's tort reform and school choice proposals and is particularly proud of his efforts in the Senate to secure all-day kindergarten for early childhood education.

House

There are contests for only six of the tri-county House seats. Our choices are:

GEORGE BAILEY, the incumbent in Dorchester County's District 97, was first elected in 1984. His switch to the GOP this year has provoked Democratic challenges to his credibility. Most haven't stuck. Rep. Bailey acknowledged he allowed a decades-old mistake in his Legislative Manual biography to go uncorrected.

Rep. Bailey is a firm ally of Gov. Sanford and his Contract for Change and believes tort reform legislation is an important goal. A contractor, Rep. Bailey cites as one of his accomplishments the strengthened statewide building code. A future goals is to make building inspectors more accountable. During his 18 years of service, Rep. Bailey has proven to be one of the most accessible members of the House, with a strong focus on constituent service.

JOSEPH JEFFERSON, a Democrat, is a solid choice to fill a vacant seat in Berkeley's District 102. A retired federal employee who worked in personnel at the Navy Shipyard, his government experience includes congressional staff work, service on the Berkeley County School Board and as a county magistrate. He also is a former state highway commissioner.

Improvement in the state's educational system is Mr. Jefferson's prime concern. He wants to see more lottery money put in elementary, middle and high school programs and more teacher aides in the classrooms. He also pledges to work closely with the state Department of Commerce to get more jobs in the upper portion of Berkeley County.

CHARLES SMITH, a Georgetown attorney, is active in community affairs and an impressive, articulate contender for the District 108 seat.

A Republican, Mr. Smith would be among Gov. Sanford's staunchest allies, describing him as "a wonderful breath of fresh air in Columbia." He said he wants to work with the governor to improve state government and already has signed on to the Sanford Contract for Change. Mr. Smith cites government reorganization as the most important issue that will be before the Legislature.

The attorney also recognizes the need for tort reform, contending there should be serious penalties for frivolous pleadings. He is a supporter of wetlands protections.

SETH WHIPPER, an attorney, is the Democratic incumbent in House Seat 113, Mr. Whipper is a thoughtful member of the House Judiciary Committee who impresses with his studious look at legislation and his willingness to consider all sides of an issue. That willingness resulted in his own change of heart on the way judges are selected. Mr. Whipper said his earlier view that they should be elected has now been modified to a belief that it is the screening process that needs revision. Mr. Whipper has been active legislatively and is most proud of his role in the passage of a predatory lending law. He also was instrumental in legislation that allows retired teachers to draw their retirement and salary if they are willing to teach in areas of particular need.

WALLACE SCARBOROUGH, a Republican, is seeking his third term from District 115. An insurance executive, he has paid particular attention to the environment, co-sponsoring the Conservation Bank legislation and working on behalf of the dolphin protection bill. He supports an environmental grand jury, opposes mega-hog farms and helped secure Morris Island lighthouse funds.

Mr. Scarborough, who is chairman of the House Banking subcommittee, cites his role in the approval of the Powerball multi-state lottery for South Carolina, which has produced significant additional funds for education. He favors school choice and charter schools, and feels strongly about the need for tort reform.

CHARLIE SMITH, a Democrat and the owner of a Charleston real estate service, is trying a second time for the seat from District 119. Mr. Smith, a former vice chairman of the Miami Shore (Fla.) planning board, has an intense interest in government, particularly in its reform.

Gov. Sanford is pressing to complete the restructuring started under Gov. Carroll Campbell, and Mr. Smith agrees with the governor on the need for a strong executive.

We believe Mr. Smith would be generally less divisive and more supportive than the incumbent of the kind of major government overhaul still needed. He says he is "ready to work across the aisle with the governor to get the important work of the state done." Give him a chance.

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