SC Schools Chief Running for Governor, Campaign Stop In Greenville Wednesday

    COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina schools chief Jim Rex says
he’s running for governor in 2010 hoping to move the state past
political infighting and distractions to focus on jobs and
education.
    The lone Democrat in statewide office said he wants to emulate
two previous governors: Republican Carroll Campbell and Democrat
Dick Riley.
    The 67-year-old former teacher, coach and college administrator
says job creation must be the top priority. He says the state needs
a premeditated marketing campaign to put South Carolina in a
positive image nationwide.
    And he says public education is critical to the state’s economic
vitality.
    Rex is officially launching his second political campaign on
Tuesday. He won the schools superintendent post in 2006 by fewer
than 500 votes.
    The Democratic race for governor already includes state Sens.
Robert Ford and Vincent Sheehen, Columbia attorney and lobbyist
Dwight Drake, and Charleston lawyer Mullins McLeod.
    Republicans include Attorney General Henry McMaster, U.S. Rep.
Gresham Barrett, state Sen. Larry Grooms, and state Rep. Nikki
Haley. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is also expected to run.
   
    (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)