11/08/2006
Updated Nov. 20, 2006
The results are in and small business has much to celebrate in South Carolina.
Gov. Mark Sanford was re-elected with a solid 10-point victory. During his speech he thanked NFIB members for their support during the campaign. Gov. Sanford is the first candidate for governor in South Carolina to receive the endorsement of NFIB, the leading small business association in the state.
"I want to say thank you to the thousands of small business people that make up the National Federation of Independent Business(es) and for what they did in this campaign," he said during his victory speech.
Gov. Sanford, who has been a unwavering supporter on key NFIB issues like tort reform, workers' comp reform, lower taxes and fiscal responsibility, mentioned NFIB/South Carolina's SAFE (Save America's Free Enterprise) endorsement at least twice in every debate.
In other races, four of five NFIB-endorsed congressional candidates were successful in their re-elections. U.S. Reps. Henry Brown (District 1), Joe Wilson (District 2), Gresham Barrett (District 3) and Bob Inglis (District 4) each received 60 percent or more of the popular vote in their districts. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who was endorsed by NFIB in 2002 and 2006, was re-elected after the State Election Commission certified the results of a mandatory recount. In the elections for State House and State Senate, 19 NFIB-endorsed candidates were victorious on Election Day, including five out of six open seats with a candidate backed by NFIB.
Overall, NFIB/South Carolina made 32 candidate endorsements this election cycle and 78 percent of these candidates won. NFIB would like to thank each legislative candidate, win or lose, NFIB-endorsed or not, for running for public office. It takes real dedication to run in these races, and small business thanks you for your willingness to serve.
Sincerely,
Jay W. Ragley
NFIB/South Carolina state director
