Voters speak out

Carol Bruce, 47, is a substitute teacher who lives in Columbia. She voted for John Kerry.

“I’m impressed with his military record and his standing on all the issues. And the bottom line is I think he’s the one who can beat Bush, and that’s what we need to do in this election.”

Paula Mistoler, 59 and a retired social worker from Columbia, voted for Wesley Clark.

“Because I think he’s the only one with the international experience of all the candidates to help us get out of Iraq just and honorably and rebuild our relationships with foreign countries.”

Cassandra Risher, 32, is a salon owner who lives in Irmo. She voted for Al Sharpton.

“He has some pretty good views, and I just wanted to support our own. For one thing, he’s definitely strong-willed. He’s not giving up, even though he’s a minority. He’s hanging in there. The fact that he wants to get the troops back home, that’s a big plus.”

Betty Rikard-Stephens, 59, is a purchasing agent at Dorn Veterans Hospital who lives in West Columbia. She voted for Clark.

“He’s got a military background. The troops need to come home. He’ll know how to do it.”

Charles Moore, 49 and a correctional officer from West Columbia, voted for Kerry.

“He has military experience, leadership, a little bit more than the other candidates.”

Brent Weaver, 33, is the banking manager for the state treasurer’s office. The Lexington resident voted for John Edwards.

“He has the best interest of South Carolinians at heart because he’s from here.”

Megan Howard, 27, is a primary care physician at Palmetto Health Richland who lives in West Columbia. She voted for Howard Dean.

“As a physician, he had some health care ideas that made sense to me.”

Wanda Hymes, 39, is a customer service processor who lives in Columbia. She voted for Edwards.

“It takes a village to raise a child. He’s looking (out for) the whole country, not just himself. He’s passionate about seeing it all the way through, even in states where he’s the underdog.”

Lucien Bruno, 52, is a caseworker for the state Department of Social Services who lives in Columbia. He voted for Dennis Kucinich.

“(Because of) NAFTA, the free-trade issue, the Iraqi war, too. And I like that his campaign doesn’t take money from special interests like the other candidates.”

Compiled by staff writers Gina Smith and James D. McWilliams