GOP candidates take their message to Cherokee voters

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Photo: JOHN BYRUM
Greg Ryberg, center, a candidate for state treasurer, talks with Bill Beach and George Wheeler during a Republican rally held in Gaffney.
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GAFFNEY -- Katie Greene has a lot on her mind these days.

The 18-year-old college freshman worries about paying for her college education and whether there will be jobs available in her hometown when she graduates in four years.

Greene had few expectations when she arrived at the Cherokee County Republican rally Saturday afternoon, but was optimistic when she left.

"I wanted to hear mostly from local candidates, and I was pleasantly surprised that most of the state candidates were there, or they sent representatives," Greene said. "At least they care enough about the people of Cherokee County to personally ask us for (our) vote."

Ralph Norman, the Republican candidate for U.S. Rep. John Spratt's seat, said he's often been asked why he's running for the fifth Congressional seat.

When introducing Norman, emcee James Brown said he agrees with the notion that in the past no one has been able to beat Spratt because there's never been a viable choice.

"Now, we have a choice, and (Norman's) the man," Brown said.

Norman said taxpayers want "good government," a government they can trust. As a businessman who's served in the House of Representatives for two years, he's a true fiscal conservative with rhetoric that matches his record, he told the crowd of about 50 people at Lake Whelchel.

Jenny Sanford, along with her sons, spoke on behalf of Gov. Mark Sanford. Sanford said if re-elected, her husband will continue to lobby for more parental choice for education and will be diligent in creating jobs and putting more tax dollars back in the pockets of South Carolina citizens.

Oscar Lovelace, who is opposing Sanford in the June primary, said Sanford appointed him in 2002 to lead a healthcare taskforce committee and when the committee presented their report to Sanford, Lovelace only had contact with the governor during a brief press conference.

"Three critical qualities are missing: communication, cooperation and common sense," the family physician said.

Bob Staton, a candidate for superintendent of education, said this was his first run for political office, and he wants to refocus the classroom on the child. Staton's platform centers on recruiting and retaining quality teachers and principals and he wants teacher salaries tied to performance.

Karen Floyd, wearing running shorts, a t-shirt and baseball cap, took time from her "Run for Reform" campaign blitz to talk on reforming education. Floyd said educators need to get back to the basics of education and discipline and structure will be the center of her campaign. Floyd said she's been endorsed by Gov. Mark Sanford and local representatives Sen. Harvey Peeler and Rep. Lanny Littlejohn.

Elizabeth Mofley, also a candidate for state superintendent on education from Mount Pleasant, said her business sense and women's intuition and insight make her the best candidate. Mofley said she wants South Carolina to reject the No Child Left Behind Act, which she considers a "one size fits all" method of reform. Learning resources should be available to every student, she said.

Kerry Wood, another candidate for education superintendent, said the office is the only political seat he will ever run for, and if he's not elected, he'll run again in four years if the office isn't revamped.

Wood, a Boiling Springs High School graduate, said more technology should be made available to students.

Henry Jordan, an Anderson native running for lieutenant governor, said he was seeking office to provide Sanford with a conservative partner.

Mike Campbell, son of the late Carroll Campbell, said he's grown up around politics, but never saw himself running for political office.

"I think Mark Sanford has been unfairly targeted when it comes to job creation," Campbell said. "Last year was the best year since 1991 for the Department of Commerce in recruiting new industry." Like Jordan, Campbell said Sanford needs a conservative ally in the statehouse.

Sen. Harvey Peeler, of Gaffney, spoke on behalf of Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who is seeking re-election.

"Andre Bauer is a friend and an ally," Peeler said. "He's a hard worker and proven conservative."

Greg Ryberg, of Aiken, said his background in business makes him the best candidate for state treasurer, and will get the state's AAA credit rating back, if elected.

Jeff Willis, a Pickens County homebuilder, said he's a proponent of Home Rule and is the candidate with the "most passion" and financing background to repair the state's finances.

Rick Quinn, another candidate for the treasurer's job, said he will support elimination of government waste, will work to get the state's AAA credit rating back and promises that he won't approve a single state contractor who violates federal immigration laws.

Other candidates who spoke at the rally were Mark Hammond, current secretary of state seeking re-election, Bill McKown, candidate for secretary of state, Hugh Weathers, agriculture commissioner seeking re-election, Bailey Humphries, current county councilman for district 2 seeking re-election, Doug Hayes, seeking county council district 5 seat, Bobby Beattie and Libby Swad, candidates for House of Representatives district 30, Marcia Duncan and Danny Stacy, candidates for House of Representatives district 29, Dennis Fowler and Glenn Fuller, candidates for coroner, auditor candidate Merv Bishop and Bill Blanton, candidate for sheriff.

Those running unopposed, but who spoke at the rally were Rep. Lanny Littlejohn, Clerk of Court Brandy McBee and Jackie Williams, candidate for treasurer.

Lynne P. Shackleford may be reached at 487-7146 or lynne.shackleford@shj.com.