BARRETT, SHEHEEN ENDORSED BY SOUTH CAROLINA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

March 10, 2010
Contact: Julie Scott 800-799-4601
julie.scott@scchamber.net

(Columbia, S.C.) – The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the state’s largest broad-based business and industry trade association, has endorsed Gresham Barrett (R) and Vincent Sheheen (D) in the 2010 race for governor. With overwhelming support, exceeding a super majority vote, the South Carolina Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to endorse the two candidates on March 9. The Chamber’s board, who represent a diverse group of businesses and industries, believe Barrett and Sheheen are the two strongest candidates with economic vision and long-term leadership for South Carolina.

“The Chamber’s Board of Directors feels it is vitally important the business community be involved in the 2010 race for governor, because it is going to take exceptional leadership and a strong economic vision to move South Carolina forward and create jobs in this tough economy,” said Otis B. Rawl Jr., president and CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

Gresham Barrett (R) has a solid jobs plan and economic vision for the state, which focuses on job creation, a strong South Carolina Department of Commerce, comprehensive tax reform, ensuring South Carolina remains a right-to-work state, infrastructure improvement and energy independence. His experience, coupled with his leadership on so many issues key to South Carolina’s competitiveness, ensures he will be a great visionary for the state.

Vincent Sheheen (D) also has a strong economic vision for South Carolina, and his support of comprehensive tax reform, port expansion, the technical college system, low-cost energy and small business growth are all priorities that support a globally competitive South Carolina. His bipartisan experience and work in the General Assembly make him equipped to handle the demands that come from leading the state.

“The Chamber is a bipartisan organization that knows real and sustained success for South Carolina will not happen unless both parties work alongside one another for the good of the people. It is in this spirit that the Chamber has chosen these two candidates, one from each political party, who are best equipped to lead this state into prosperity in the global marketplace,” said Rawl.

2010 marks the first year the Chamber has endorsed candidates for governor. Endorsements reflect the Chamber’s diverse and bipartisan Board of Directors and membership across the state, and the more than 18,000 businesses and their more than one million employees ensure the Chamber will have a strong voice in the 2010 gubernatorial elections.

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s first state chamber Accredited with Distinction by the U.S. Chamber, is the state’s largest statewide broad-based business and industry trade association representing more than 18,000 businesses and more than one million employees, with 90 percent of membership comprised of small businesses. As the unified voice for business and industry, the Chamber is a catalyst for increasing wealth and enhancing the state’s global competitiveness in order to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians.