| Rural voters courted AIKEN - Aiken County's only contested state House seat this November pits incumbent Republican Jim Stewart against die-hard Constitutionalist Andy Windham. And though Mr. Stewart enjoys the momentum of incumbency, Mr. Windham's attempt to grab voters from the district's more rural areas could make the race interesting. The vast District 86 includes residents near the city of Aiken and people in a large rural swath along the county's eastern half, including the communities of Montmorenci and Windsor. It also includes residents near the towns of Wagener, Salley and Perry, but not the towns themselves. It is the rural vote Mr. Windham is targeting. Though he and Mr. Stewart share similar ideas on making state government smaller and defederalizing public schools, his ideas on state's rights aren't mainstream. He says he's a strong believer that the government should adhere to the U.S. Constitution, especially the 10th Amendment. He doesn't say South Carolina should break away from the federal government, but says it needs to become less dependent on its help. "I guess state government is intimidated," said Mr. Windham, who left the Republican Party in the 1990s. Mr. Windham, a farmer who used to work at the Aiken County jail and on the county's litter control program, said his independent thinking could catch on among rural voters, who tend to think more for themselves and have less need to affiliate with a major party. His opponent, Mr. Stewart, looks at government through a business lens. A builder by trade, he says he applies the same skills to running state government that he does to running a small business and would continue to do so if re-elected. "When the economy turns, you can lose what you gained a lot faster than you gained it," Mr. Stewart said. "You have to mindful of things you could do in a more efficient way. You have to be competitive to survive. "I think government should be the same way," he said. "It should always be looking for a more efficient way to do business."
Reach Josh Gelinas at (803) 648-1395, ext. 113, or josh.gelinas@augustachronicle.com.
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