Chapin Mayor Stan Shealy likes to say you have to be in the Chapin Labor Day parade if you want to get elected.

The parade is the unofficial kickoff of the campaign season. And the number of politicians turning out for the parade Monday shows they know it.

Shealy said Gov. Mark Sanford was the first politician to sign up to be in the parade. He wore his trademark khaki pants and blue shirt. His wife, Jenny, whom he recently named his interim chief of staff, followed closely behind.

But it was Lexington County Sheriff James Metts who was the first politician in the parade lineup. Larry Harrison,who is challenging Metts, was also in the parade.

Close behind were Shealy and the rest of the members of Chapin Town Council.

Others spotted included Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson; state Rep. Ronnie Cromer, R-Newberry; U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; state Treasurer Grady Patterson; state Rep. Chip Huggins, R-Lexington; state Rep. Walt McLeod, D-Newberry; Lexington County Coroner Harry Harman; Lexington County Councilman Johnny Jeffcoat; and Lexington County Treasurer Bill Rowell.

Charleston developer Thomas Ravenel was the only candidate running for Fritz Hollings' U.S. Senate seat who was seen.

Three other Republicans --former Attorney General Charlie Condon, U.S. Rep. Jim DeMint of Greenville, and Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride are in the race.

State Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum and Columbia Mayor Bob Coble are seeking the Democratic nomination for Hollings' seat.

On Monday, many of the politicians threw out candy to the kids lining the parade route.

Not Graham.

When children shouted for candy, he said, "I'm going to cut your taxes so you can buy your own candy."