Gov. Mark Sanford and Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer will be on hand Monday as local Republicans try to end the fight for control of the Strand's most powerful political group.

The party's convention, 5:30 p.m. Monday at Conway High School, will end a contentious race between party Chairman Duane Oliver and challenger Randal Wallace, a Myrtle Beach City Councilman. More than 600 delegates will pick the winner.

Sanford, Bauer and state Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson will attend the convention but won't weigh in on the feud.

"[Sanford] doesn't endorse candidates in a party chairman's race," said Sanford spokesman Will Folks. "He's going to a number of these conventions to see the people."

In Horry County, Sanford will see a dispute that members say threatens to destroy the party from within.

The race was personal from the start, with both sides swapping insults, threats of lawsuits and accusations of vote rigging.

Oliver is a chairman besieged by former supporters, led by Wallace, who say he keeps party finances secret, subverts the party to his own goals and engages in dirty campaign tactics.

Oliver denies the allegations and is running on his record. He argues that he has given the party a higher visibility and a healthy membership.

Since becoming chairman, Oliver made a name for himself with his sometimes brash leadership style. He established a high-profile party headquarters in Myrtle Square Mall and said he has increased membership. He was linked - but never conclusively - to anonymous letters blasting candidates he opposed. Earlier this year, the party was investigated by the state for failing to submit financial reports.

Wallace said he is concerned that Oliver will manipulate the election to ensure his victory. "I'm very nervous," he said. "It's tough to run against an opponent who controls the entire process."

Delegates were chosen at a series of meetings throughout the county. The number of delegates has steadily increased in the last month, from about 350 to more than 600. Wallace said he fears Oliver has added his supporters to the list. Oliver denies the accusation and said it would be impossible for him to manipulate the election process. He said representatives from the state party will monitor the convention to ensure all rules are followed.

Oliver has changed the location of the convention three times - moves he said were necessary to handle the number of delegates. But Wallace said Oliver is trying to confuse his opponents and move the convention closer to his base of support in western Horry.

On Wednesday, Wallace spoke to about 65 Republicans gathered for a meeting of the South Strand Republican Club. Oliver did not attend and said he wouldn't comment on his reasons. Most of those at the meeting support Wallace.

"I'm very fearful that there are a lot of hard feelings out there," Wallace said. "On both sides. Who enjoys this?"Contact DAVID KLEPPER at 626-0303 or dklepper@thesunnews.com.