I am concerned about the future of South Carolina.  Our unemployment rate has soared over 12% – and far higher in some counties– and still we see no job creation strategy or plan out of the Governor’s office. 

I am extremely saddened to write of the recent happenings in South Carolina government. As a husband and father of three little boys, I am especially saddened about the family challenges facing the Sanfords, and I wish them God‘s blessings in finding a healing path. I hope the press and public will respect the privacy of Ms. Sanford and the children, as I believe common decency demands.

I was proud to help lead the effort to require our current Governor to accept the federal stimulus funds. Governor Sanford’s blatant attempt to put his own political ideology and future plans ahead of the needs of South Carolina’s unemployed workers, public school kids, and law enforcement community was flat out wrong.

For almost a decade, we have suffered from a lack of leadership in South Carolina.   During that time, we have fallen behind our neighboring states in job creation and education reform. South Carolina must rebuild its government and bring accountability back to our elected offices. 

For government to work, we must first have leaders who believe it can work.