NEWBERRY, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial candidates are looking to prove their conservative credentials during a debate that included even a few kind words for embattled Gov. Mark Sanford.
Candidates said Tuesday night they want to lower taxes, increase school choice, bring jobs to the state and keep the Confederate flag flying on Statehouse grounds. Paramount was getting South Carolina's sputtering economy back on track.
Several candidates said for all his faults, Sanford's stand against federal stimulus money and in favor of limited spending were laudable traits.
Still, they made it clear they want to distance themselves from the scandal-plagued governor who has been questioned since his five-day trip to visit his mistress in Argentina in June.
Tuesday night's candidates included: Lexington County Representative Nikki Haley, U.S. Representative Gresham Barrett, Senator Larry Grooms from Berekley County, Lt. Governor Andre Bauer, and Attorney General Henry McMaster.
Democrat SC gov hopefuls speak at stump meeting
PROSPERITY, S.C. (AP) - Five Democrats wanting South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's job are giving stump speeches in Prosperity.
Wednesday's meeting over barbecue at a Prosperity restaurant is the first for the candidates since the field has grown to five.
Gerald Meadows is organizing the Newberry County Democratic Party event. He says Education Superintendent Jim Rex, state Sens. Robert Ford of Charleston and Vincent Sheheen of Camden, Charleston lawyer Mullins McLeod and Columbia lawyer and lobbyist Dwight Drake will be at the event.
Meadows says the candidates will give 15 minute speeches, but there are no plans for them take questions or debate issues.
Five Republican gubernatorial hopefuls had their first debate Tuesday a few miles away in Newberry.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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