COLUMBIA, S.C. - State Sen. Greg Ryberg launched his second bid for treasurer with stops around the state Wednesday.

Ryberg says restoring the state's AAA credit rating with Standard & Poor's and instilling greater fiscal responsibility are his top priorities.

"We need our good credit back," Ryberg said.

The state lost the rating because we "are spending money in an out-of-control way," he said.

Ryberg faces Rick Quinn, a former House majority leader, and Easley developer Jeff Willis in the GOP primary and hopes for a rematch against state Treasurer Grady Patterson.

In 2002, Patterson, won 52 percent of the vote to Ryberg's 48 percent.