FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) – Gov. Nikki Haley will endorse the challenger — not the incumbent — in two area senate campaigns.
Haley will formally endorse Republican Richard Skipper, a candidate for the District 31 senate seat in Florence County on Wednesday, according to a statement released by the campaign on Sunday.
Skipper faces off against Sen. Hugh Leatherman, who has served for over three decades in Columbia, in the June 14 Republican Primary.
Skipper said that when going against a candidate who has been around as long as Sen. Leatherman, an endorsement from the sitting Republican governor can be a game-changer.
“When you’re in my position as an underdog, support from a major political figure like Gov. Haley is huge,” Skipper said. “I’m glad to know one of the most successful and popular governors in the U.S. agrees with many of my conservative principles.”
In a statement, Gov. Haley expressed her desire for a change in Columbia.
“Florence deserves new leadership that fixes our roads and delivers tax relief; instead of funding legislative pay raises and pet projects,” Haley said. “That’s the kind of leadership they’ll get with conservative businessman Richard Skipper in the Senate.”
The Governor will officially back Skipper on Friday at the Wholly Smokin’ Barbecue in Florence. The event starts at 12 p.m.
Gov. Haley will continue her endorsements on Friday in Myrtle Beach, where she will officially back Republican senate candidate Scott Pyle, according to a news release from his campaign.
Pyle, a businessman from Myrtle Beach, is in a race against 24-year incumbent Luke Rankin for the Senate District 33 seat.
Haley is scheduled to endorse Pyle on Friday at Longbeard’s Bar & Grill in Carolina Forest at 12 p.m.
Pyle is hopeful that the support of the state’s Chief Executive will bring about the change he’s after.
“I’m humbled and honored to have Gov. Haley’s support,” said Pyle. “People of this district are ready for a change in their state government – they’re ready for better roads, lower taxes, and more government transparency. I look forward to working with Gov. Haley to bring about the change we need in Horry County”
The Governor again made it clear that new leadership is what is needed to fix infrastructure and reduce spending.
“Career politicians in Columbia have lost their way – they stop ethics reforms, vote for tax increases and raise their own pay,” Haley said. “Scott Pyle is a businessman, not a career politician, and we can count on him to cut taxes, rein in government spending and hold the career politicians accountable to the people.”
