Republican Chip Campsen cites his experience in the state legislature and the governor's office, and Democrat Constance Anastopoulo vows to change politics as usual in the state capital.

"We keep sending the same people to Columbia, and expecting different results," said Anastopoulo, a Charleston attorney who lives on the Isle of Palms. "It's time for a new and fresh perspective."

Campsen, meanwhile, hopes to capitalize on his six years in the S.C. House of Representatives and a stint as senior policy advisor to Gov. Mark Sanford. That experience, he says, better prepares him for the office.

Campsen won a hard-fought, three-way primary for the GOP nomination. Campsen and incumbent John Kuhn finished one-two in the primary, knocking out Charleston City Council member Henry Fishburne. Fishburne endorsed Campsen, who went on to an easy win over Kuhn in the runoff.

While Kuhn was the incumbent, reapportionment had changed his district considerably between elections. The 43rd district now ranges from the Isle of Palms to James Island to North Charleston, so the new senator will have to balance the concerns of a diverse set of constituents.

Anastopoulo faced no primary opposition.

Both candidates say education and environmental conservation are top priorities for everyone.

"Conservation resonates with people that have moved here recently," said Campsen, an attorney and Isle of Palms resident. "It's important for this coastal area not to become a Miami Beach. People are fleeing places like that."

The candidates differ on how best to fix the state's ailing schools, however.

Anastopoulo wants to see more of the S.C. Education Lottery's higher education funds shifted to underfunded primary and middle schools; Campsen supports the establishment of more charter schools.

"The pathway to success and freedom is through education, and we're really failing our children," said Anastopoulo, who said she believes her perspective as a working mother would bring important insights to the state's educational problems.

This is her first run for elective office. Anastopoulo cites her work building a small business with her husband as important experience for bringing more jobs to South Carolina. She also has worked on education, family and women's issues as an attorney and through volunteer work.

During his tenure in the House, Campsen authored legislation to, among other things, provide tax easements for conservation efforts and create the state's tax-free college savings accounts.

CONSTANCE ANASTOPOULO

AGE: 41

RESIDENCE: Isle of Palms

FAMILY: Married to Akim Anastopoulo, two children

EDUCATION: UNC-CH School of Law, law degree, 1992

University of Virginia, B.A. in economics, 1984

PHONE/E-MAIL: 722-8070, constance@akimlaw.com

OCCUPATION: Attorney

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None.

CHIP CAMPSEN

AGE: 45

RESIDENCE: Isle of Palms

FAMILY: Married to Lalla Lee, 2 children

EDUCATION: Furman University, B.S., biology, 1982

University of South Carolina, law degree, 1988 and M.B.A., 1989

PHONE/E-MAIL: 722-0123, campaign@campsen.org

OCCUPATION: Attorney

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Member of the S.C. House of Representatives, 1997-2002; former senior policy advisor to Gov. Mark Sanford.

Click here to return to story:
http://www.charleston.net/stories/101404/loc_14senate43.shtml