| Tenenbaum calls study political AIKEN - Increased scrutiny of her department from Republican legislators and party supporters is politically motivated and detrimental to the state's school system, South Carolina's education superintendent and Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, Inez Tenenbaum, said Monday. Republican Gov. Mark Sanford's office asked Friday for travel records from Mrs. Tenenbaum's office. Late last month, the state Republican Party submitted a freedom of information request to her office that officials said would cost $30,000 to fulfill. Meanwhile, the Education Department is being audited at the request of Republican Speaker of the House David Wilkins. "It's interesting that all this is coming at one time," she said. "I can't help but believe it's linked to the fact that I'm running for the U.S. Senate ... We've never had those requests before." Republicans defended their demands and said they were justified. "The agency hasn't been audited in many, many years," said Republican state Rep. Bobby Harrell, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. "It's just something as a good business practice you ought to do." The governor is reviewing travel records from various state agencies, including some headed by his Cabinet, and is asking officials to cut back on their expenses, said Mr. Sanford's spokesman, Will Folks. The state Republican Party was blunt that its request of Mrs. Tenenbaum's office was politically motivated, though it wasn't meant to distract employees in her office, said Luke Byars, the executive director of the party. The party's request, which hasn't been filled, is broad. It asked for copies of her schedule from 1999 to the present, credit card records, phone bills and catering records, and contracts the Education Department struck with companies that administered tests in public schools. "We want to find out as much as we can about some of the important issues that may play in the next election," Mr. Byars said. "If she thinks fulfilling a freedom of information request for the Republican Party is any different than fulfilling one for any other citizen, then she's mistaken." Being more closely watched is something Mrs. Tenenbaum should get used to as the campaign to replace retiring Sen. Earnest "Fritz" Hollings continues, said Blease Graham, a political science professor at the University of South Carolina. "It's an elected office, and she's an elected department head using it as a springboard to higher office, which certainly subjects one to increased scrutiny," he said. "I think that's the reality of politics." Reach Josh Gelinas at (803) 279-6895 or josh.gelinas@augustachronicle.com.
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