When incumbent Democrat state Rep. Vida Miller speaks about her re-election to a fifth term to the district seat, she focuses on strengthening education, protecting the environment and economic development.

About all they agree on is that the beauty of their coastal district must be preserved.

The shores, salt marshes, freshwater rivers and wetlands that make up the communities in the district are the lifeblood that is attracting the area's growth. New housing developments seem to be sprouting up daily.

Job losses at Georgetown's steel mill hit the area economy hard. The district's heavy industry is struggling to maintain the little life it has left.

Tourism and retirement activities are the winds blowing new life into the district, which stretches up U.S. Highway 17 from Awendaw to Murrells Inlet at the Horry County border.

The population is booming, but so is traffic. The road system has not kept pace. The roads are congested. The area is in desperate need of highway improvements, but there's not much money. said his opponent has not done what's necessary to get funding for road improvements, which include widening U.S. 17.

As a Republican in the majority in the Statehouse, Smith said, he would be more effective at securing transportation dollars.

A signer of Gov. Mark Sanford's Contract for Change, he also said he would help the governor achieve his legislative goals.

The initiative is centered on creating more jobs, creating a more efficient, accountable government, improving educational achievement and improving the business and health-care climate in the state.

"The House is a partisan body. It is organized by party. By being a part of the majority party, I can be more effective in serving the needs of the area," he said.

Smith said his opponent's activities in the Democratic caucus are counterproductive.

"That means each day in the General Assembly she's working against the leadership of the House," he said.

Smith's campaign also emphasizes the need to consolidate state agencies to improve the quality of service, to allow county council and school boards to set local policies and to cap lawsuit damages and control frivolous lawsuits.

Miller, first elected to the House in 1996, said she is getting money for the much-needed road projects.

As chairwoman of the Georgetown County Legislative Delegation, Miller said she helped secure money for the widening of U.S. Highway 521 and for the Andrews bypass. Her work also has helped secure funding for other road projects throughout the district, she said.

"The growth is happening. Our plans are to keep the roads up to date with the growth," she said.

Miller said she is working to build regional coalitions with local, state, federal and business leaders to spur economic development. That work has already paid off with the construction of the industrial park in the county, she said.

The next step, she said, is to build more partnerships to attract light, environmentally friendly industries that will bring good-paying jobs.

"This is not something we can do alone. We have to have partnerships with many folks," she said.

Miller said the most important component of her campaign is her record of accomplishment. She stressed that her main agenda in Columbia is the district and its people, not the governor's agenda.

"We have responded to the needs of the community," Miller said of her work with the Georgetown delegation.

VIDA O. MILLER (I)

DEMOCRAT

AGE: 52

RESIDENCE: Pawleys Island

FAMILY: Husband, J.D. Miller

EDUCATION: Attended North Greenville College and Bob Jones University

PHONE/ E-MAIL: (843)237-8603 / vida@ vidamiller.com

OCCUPATION: Operates Gray Man Gallery on Pawleys Island

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Running for a 5th term. First-elected to S.C. House in 1996; served on Georgetown County School Board 1988-1994

CHARLES SMITH

REPUBLICAN

AGE: 52

RESIDENCE: Georgetown

FAMILY: Single

EDUCATION: undergraduate degree in economics, University of South Carolina (1974); University of South Carolina law degree (1980)

PHONE/E-MAIL: (843) 546-6131 / charles@charlessmith2004.com

OCCUPATION: Attorney

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: First political race

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