Runoff turnout remains below primary pace

Certain areas within Kershaw, Richland and Lexington counties are seeing more voters than others, but overall, turnout was lower than in the primary by late afternoon Tuesday.

Kershaw County Election Director Rosalind Watson said the bulk of the county’s precincts are below 50 votes, though Camden Precinct No. 5 reported 87 votes by 4 p.m.

One of Lexington County’s largest precincts, Mt. Horeb, had 140 votes by late afternoon, which Elections Director Dean Crepes said was low for the big precinct.

Richland County is reporting the best turnout in County Council District 1. Elections Director Mike Cinnamon said there seems to be more people voting in that area than in the rest of the county but still not to the levels of two weeks ago.

— Marjorie Riddle

Low turnout continues statewide

Voting in the runoff elections continued to be slow and uneventful this afternoon.

Elections directors in Greenville, Horry and Charleston counties reported low turnout at local polls.

"Hopefully it’ll pick up when people get off work, but it’s been slow all day so far," Horry County Elections Director Sandy Martin said.

— Marjorie Riddle

Voting totals remain bleak

Richland County voting still is light, said Mike Cinnamon, elections director.

"Everything’s kind of quiet," Cinnamon said. "The sun’s come out, so hopefully the voters will come out."

Kershaw County voter turnout also was slow. Larger precincts have seen up to 80 voters, but smaller precincts recorded votes in the low 20s and 30s, said Rosalind Watson, elections director.

In Lexington County, "it’s less than we thought it would be, but it’s chugging right along," said Dean Crepes, elections director.

He said his office was getting absentee ballots ready to scan to tally them up tonight.

A 12-year incumbent, John Carrigg opposes fellow Republican Art Guerry for the Lexington County Council District 7 seat. Carrigg led Guerry by a mere 23 votes in June 13’s primary. The winner of today’s race will represent the Irmo/St. Andrews area for a four-year term.

Republicans Kit Spires and Ken Clark are battling for the Lexington County S.C. House District 96 seat. Spires held 45 percent of primary votes while incumbent Clark finished with 35 percent of votes.

— Marjorie Riddle

No problems reported at polls so far

Voting was going smoothly throughout the state just before the lunch hour with no problems reported at the major election offices. , elections director. She hopes things will pick up this afternoon. , elections director. He said there were some initial problems with machines, but the precincts opened without delay. planned to hold several "get out the vote" media appearances across the state Monday.

Charleston County is reporting very light voter turnout. Elections Director Marilyn Bowers said her tech staff is out visiting polling places to check on machines to ensure a problem-free runoff day. She said the sun is shining in parts of Charleston with high humidity.

Horry County has seen light turnout everywhere, said Sandy Martin

Greenville County runoff voting seems to be light, said Conway Belangia

"I hope the turnout will pick up, but it all depends on the weather and how well the candidates did in motivating people to turn out," Belangia said.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, facing Mike Campbell in a runoff for the Republican nomination, walked the Ravenel Bridge Monday night between Mt. Pleasant and Charleston in a cast and on crutches for his end-of-campaign walk.

Campbell

The runoff between Bauer and Campbell has garnered a lot of attention. Campbell edged Bauer by less than 10 percentage points in the primary two weeks ago.

—Marjorie Riddle

Few voters so far in wet runoff

Turnout was expected to be lower in today’s runoff than the primary election two weeks ago, but scattered thunderstorms and rain might drive the numbers even lower.

Richland County Elections Director Mike Cinnamon said the polls were quiet this morning, though pouring rain "drenched a whole lot of people."

"I’m just waiting on 7 p.m. to get here," Cinnamon said.

Lexington County reported low but steady voter turnout by 10 a.m.

"With sunny weather breaking through, I hope people will get out and vote today," Elections Director Dean Crepes said.

Kershaw County voter turnout has been very low so far, said Rosalind Watson, elections director. She said most precincts reported seeing only four or five people this morning, and some saw only two voters by 9:30 a.m.

If you are a registered voter, you can participate in the runoff election if you voted in that party’s primary on June 13 or you did not vote June 13.

Incumbent Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer faces Mike Campbell in a runoff for the Republican nomination.

Bauer is expected to vote in Charleston Ward 17 at 11 a.m. Campbell and his wife were expected to vote at 9:30 a.m. at the Polo Road precinct in Columbia.

Treasurer candidate Thomas Ravenel said he would be voting in Charleston some time this morning. He is opposed by Jeff Willis of Easley.

— Marjorie Riddle

Weather again likely to hamper turnout

As with the primary election two weeks ago, today’s runoff voters will have to endure rain and scattered thunderstorms throughout South Carolina.

At 8:30 a.m., it was cloudy and 75 degrees in Columbia, cloudy and 72 degrees in Greenville and partly cloudy and 82 degrees in Charleston.

Incumbent Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer faces Mike Campbell in one of two statewide runoff elections. Campbell received 45.3 percent of the votes and Bauer 37 percent.

The other statewide runoff is in the treasurer’s race, which pits Charleston businessman Thomas Ravenel against fourth-place finisher Jeff Willis of Easley.

Two races in Lexington County will be decided today. Republicans Ken Clark and Kit Spires will determine who will go on November’s ballot for House District 96. A Lexington County Council seat will go to either John Carrigg or Art Guerry.

— Marjorie Riddle

Bauer, Campbell begin final push

The two Republican candidates for lieutenant governor will crisscross the state today in a last-ditch effort to get voters to the polls on Tuesday.

Incumbent Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer continues his roadside waving tour with stops at the corner of 2nd Loop Road and Cashua Drive in Florence, Carolina Forest Boulevard and U.S. 501 in Myrtle Beach and will finish his day by walking across the new Cooper River Bridge in Charleston. Bauer will make the 3.5 mile trek across the bridge on crutches, which he is using following surgery to repair a broken heel.

Challenger Mike Campbell, who finished first in the June 13 primary, will be in Greenville at 10 a.m., at Bernie's Broasted Chicken at 12:30 p.m. in Columbia and at the Citadel Mall food court in Charleston at 3:15 p.m.

Campbell will finish his day with a 5:30 p.m. appearance in Myrtle Beach, at a location to be determined.

Quinn follows Ryberg out of treasurer race

Rick Quinn joined Greg Ryberg on the sidelines of the contest for the Republican state treasurer’s nomination.

Hours after Ryberg asked that his name be removed from a runoff ballot, Quinn has said he will do the same. That leaves just fourth-place finisher Jeff Willis to wage any potential challenge to front-runner Thomas Ravenel in the June 27 runoff.

Ravenel finished first in Tuesday’s primary, capturing more than 48 percent of the vote. He needed more than 50 percent to avoid a runoff. But Ryberg said Wednesday that the numbers were clear and Thursday morning he asked the State Election Commission to take his name off the ballot.

Under state law, Quinn — as the third-place finisher — would be elevated to the runoff, but the former House majority leader decided Thursday afternoon not to take that shot.

Willis, a Pickens developer, said Wednesday he would most definitely compete in the runoff.

Ryberg officially out of treasurer race

Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, officially withdrew his name from consideration for the Republican state treasurer’s nomination on Thursday, according to the State Election Commission.

Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire said the agency received a letter from Ryberg on Thursday morning requesting that his name "be formally removed from the runoff ballot. I will no longer be a candidate for state treasurer."

Ryberg finished second in Tuesday’s primary, behind front-runner Thomas Ravenel of Charleston.

Whitmire said the Election Commission will meet Saturday to certify Tuesday’s results. If the outcome stands, then Ravenel would face a runoff with third-place finisher Rick Quinn of Columbia.

If Quinn decides to pull out, too, fourth-place finisher Jeff Willis would step up.

Quinn said he was not yet ready to make that decision Thursday morning.

Ravenel got roughly 48 percent of the vote Tuesday, less than the majority needed to avoid a runoff.

The Republican winner will face Grady Patterson, the longtime Democratic state treasurer who was unopposed in Tuesday's primary.

Staton concedes education race to Floyd

Bob Staton dropped out of the GOP race for superintendent of education this afternoon, conceding any possible runoff to Karen Floyd of Spartanburg.

It is not clear whether a runoff would be on the ballot. Floyd garnered about 1,200 more votes Tuesday than the required 50 percent threshold, according to unofficial returns. The results will be certified by the State Election Commission on Saturday.

Staton, a Columbia businessman who has been active in public school accountability efforts, got 35 percent of the vote, or about 40,000 less than Floyd, on Tuesday.

Earlier today, Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, said he would not participate in a runoff with Thomas Ravenel of Charleston. Like the education race, Ravenel was at about 50 percent. Ryberg trailed at about 26 percent of the vote.

Special session to last one day

The special session that kicked off at noon is likely to last through today only.

Legislative leaders said this morning they will only need one day to deal with all of Gov. Mark Sanford's vetoes. Sanford issued a single veto of the $6.6 billion spending plan late Tuesday.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell said the House will deal with as many vetoes as possible before lunch, saving the budget for this afternoon.

Any conference committees that can't reach a compromise today, he said, will not get any extra time.

Ryberg drops out

Thomas Ravenel, who topped Tuesday's four-way Republican primary for treasurer, will not face a runoff in two weeks.

Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, said this morning he will not participate in the June 27 runoff despite being eligible to do so.

“After a good night of sleep and a careful review of yesterday’s results, I have decided it is not in the best interest of my family, myself, or my supporters that I continue my pursuit for the office of state treasurer," Ryberg said. 

“I have always been a numbers guy.  It is what my run for treasurer has been based on; How to make the treasurer’s office better with a more careful review of the numbers.  It is with that kind of review of the numbers that I have made the decision to end my campaign today.  I wish my opponent the best going forward."

Ravenel garnered just under the 50 percent plus one required to avoid a runoff. Ryberg finished second, with 26 percent of the total. That was just ahead of former House Majority Leader Rick Quinn, who got 19 percent. Easley homebuilder Jeff Willis was fourth, with roughly 7 percent.

“I want to deeply thank all those who have been so supportive of our campaign.  I am blessed with a wonderful family and great friends and this endeavor has brought us even closer,” Ryberg said.

Turnout still light in Richland, Kershaw counties

Lexington County is projecting slightly higher voter turnout than in the last non-presidential primary election, but voter turnout still is light today in Richland and Kershaw counties.

Lexington County Elections Director Dean Crepes said he is projecting that 26 percent to 28 percent of registered voters will vote in today’s primary, compared to 24 percent to 25 percent in 2002.

The Richland County Election Commission Office began counting absentee ballots this afternoon, and Elections Director Mike Cinnamon described the process as "frantic."

Voter turnout is fair in Kershaw County overall. However, more voters are turning out in the Lugoff-Elgin area, likely because of the County Council Seat 4 and House District 79 races, said Rosalind Watson, elections director.

A Lugoff-Elgin poll worker asked the election office for another worker because of the sudden turnout of voters, Watson said.

School District Seat 8 and County Council Seat 6 are drawing voters in the Riverdale, Airport, Camden 1 and Camden 6 precincts, Watson said.

Nine candidates are vying for four Kershaw County Council seats in today’s primary.

Republican Wesley Herndon, a business owner and County Council Seat 4 incumbent, will try to win re-election over Jimmy Jones, former head of Kershaw County’s special services. The victor will be unopposed on November’s general election ballot.

The primary will also determine which Richland County auditor candidate will go on the November ballot unopposed. Democrat Paul Brawley is challenging incumbent Harry Huntley.

No civil rights complaints have been filed with the U.S. Attorneys Office or State Elections Commission for today’s primary.

-- Marjorie Riddle and Rick Brundrett

Scant absentee ballots predict turnout levels

Charleston County officials were beginning to open their absentee ballots for counting by mid-afternoon Tuesday.

Elections Director Marilyn Bowers said her election office has half the absentee ballots they had during the 2002 primary. Turnout at the polls tends to parallel the number of absentee ballots.

"It could really get down to every vote making a difference," Bowers said.

Tropical Storm Alberto has added extra anxiety to today’s primary as counties face potentially lower turnouts due to fickle weather.

Things in Charleston County are quiet now, Bowers said. She said voter turnout still is light even though heavy rains stopped at 1:30 p.m.

Greenville County was rainy and voter turnout was light at 2:30 p.m., said Conway Belangia, Greenville County Elections director.

"Things are busy, busy in Horry County," said Sandy Martin, Horry County Elections director. Martin said her commissioners hadn’t called in recently by mid-afternoon to give her an update on turnout.

All three counties weren’t reporting problems at precincts more than halfway through election day.

Counties throughout South Carolina are voting in today’s primary elections for state races that include governor, lieutenant governor, education superintendent, treasurer, secretary of state and commissioner of agriculture.

Gov. Mark Sanford and Lt. Governor Andre Bauer are incumbents trying to win the primary so they can run for re-election in November.

—Marjorie Riddle

Lexington County showing stronger turnout

Voters have been slow to show up to the polls today in Richland and Kershaw counties.

But in Lexington County, voter turnout so far is above the 2002 level, said Dean Crepes, Lexington County Elections director.

"Lexington County is plugging right along. I’m very impressed with my workers out there," Crepes said.

In Lexington County, it was cloudy with little rain at 12:15 p.m.

Better than usual voter turnout in Lexington County may be the result of three County Council races.

Kirk Cox and Art Guerry are trying to oust incumbent John Carrigg from District 7, the Irmo/St. Andrews district. Bill Banning is trying to win the primary over Joe Owens, the current District 8, West Columbia, councilman. Keith Bush faces with R.L. "B. Jay" Julius for the District 2 council seat, which covers Batesburg-Leesville, Gilbert and Summit.

"We’re hoping the rain will stay below Orangeburg until 7 p.m. tonight," Crepes said. "Keep the rain in Beaufort."

Richland County Elections Director Mike Cinnamon reported that spaces were open in his office’s parking lot between noon and 1 p.m. The lunch hour usually is a busy time for voting.

Cinnamon said most precincts are quiet.

"I don’t know if people are afraid to get out and get wet or what’s going on."

Key races in Richland County include William Malinowski, Harold Driver and Jim Holcombe vying for the County Council District 1 seat; Bill Cotty and Sheri Lou Few eyeing the Republican spot for the House District 79 seat; and Anton J. Gunn and Todd Lejuan Wood hoping to win Democratic position for the same seat.

Voter turnout in Kershaw County is about average for a non-presidential primary, said Rosalind Watson, Kershaw County Elections director. She said her office had a fair amount of absentee balloting, but she’s hoping more people will vote this afternoon.

The weather in Kershaw County is beginning to clear up. It was not raining at 1:15 p.m., Watson said.

At 1:15 p.m., it was cloudy throughout the Midlands with an average temperature of 72 degrees.

--Marjorie Riddle

Election officers: Don’t let rain keep you from voting

Election offices are encouraging voters to brave the rain and participate in today’s primary as Tropical Storm Alberto causes a flood watch effective at noon for various Southeastern counties.

Forecasts across the state are calling for cloudy skies, chances of rain and possible flooding.

Greenville County voting precincts reported light voter turnouts. Officials hope it will pick up this afternoon, said Conway Belangia, Greenville County Elections director.

Belangia said there were a few minor glitches with the county’s system this morning that didn’t affect voters.

A Horry County spokeswoman said voting is going smoothly. But by 11:15 a.m., precincts hadn’t checked in with estimates on voter turnout.

Charleston County voter turnout has been light. It started raining at 11 a.m. in Charleston, said Marilyn Bowers, Charleston County Elections director.

She said some precincts have had problems with their audio ballot machines and instructed poll managers to close the malfunctioning machines.

"It’s sad, but bad weather usually does affect voter turnout," Bowers said.

With Tropical Storm Alberto moving through South Carolina this afternoon, state treasurer candidate Thomas Ravenel may lose much-needed votes in his home base of Charleston if the storm produces heavy rain as expected.

— Marjorie Riddle

Turnout light; weather could be factor

Scattered rain and cloudy skies may be deterring voters from some Midlands precincts in the first three hours of today’s primary.

Richland County voter turnout by 10:15 a.m. is light, and weather may be contributing, said Mike Cinnamon, Richland County Election Commission director.

Lexington County voter turnout was steady at 10 a.m. Dean Crepes, Lexington County Elections director, said there were more voters than expected by 10 a.m. compared to the 2004 primary.

At 10 a.m., Kershaw County voter turnout was a little slower due to light rain, said Kershaw County Elections Director Rosalind Watson.

No major problems were reported at precincts in the three Midlands counties.

The counties have no counts yet. Primaries generally don’t generate widespread voter participation.

A flood watch in effect for Richland, Lexington and Kershaw counties might mean even lower voter turnouts than in previous years.

Tropical storm Alberto might cause flooding across the Southeastern part of the state, and the flood watch will be in effect from noon today until Wednesday morning.

Alberto brings cloudy skies for election day

Election day begins with cloudy skies across the state today.
The temperature in Columbia at 9 a.m. was 73 degrees and cloudy.
Charleston was cloudy and 80 degrees, Greenville was cloudy and 65 degrees and Conway was cloudy and 73 degrees.
Tropical storm Alberto will likely bring heavy rains and possible thunderstorms to all of South Carolina today. Flood watches are in effect for the Southeastern part of the state.
Voter turnout may be low due to bad weather.
— Marjorie Riddle

Sanford, Lovelace touring the state

Gov. Mark Sanford and his chief Republican each flew around the state today in an eleventh hour search for primary voters.

Accompanied by his wife and four boys, Sanford personally appealed to his supporters to turnout in full force and give him a mandate for the next four years.

"To all those taxpayers in our state who agree with me that it’s a terrible mistake to grow state government spending by more than twice the rate of the growth in personal income, I’d ask for your vote tomorrow."

Stops were planned for Taylors, Cayce, Myrtle Beach, North Charleston and Hilton Head.

At Taylors, the governor picked up the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the largest small business advocacy groups.

Meanwhile, challenger Oscar Lovelace continued his "servant leadership tour," attracting good crowds at each stop. He met with supporters and talked with the media at each stop.

He will continue his fly around tomorrow, hitting the vote-rich regions of the Upstate, Midlands and Lowcountry.

Bauer likely to leave hospital today

Incumbent Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is expected to be released from the hospital today, his adviser Rod Shealy said.

Bauer underwent surgery on Friday at Greenville Memorial Hospital to repair a shattered heel.

Shealy said he is not sure yet what Bauer’s plans are upon release. He will likely return to Columbia today and work the phones before tomorrow’s primary vote.

Campbell travelling with mother

Mike Campbell is flying around the state today with his mother - the former S.C. first lady - and Sally Atwater, the wife of the late Lee Atwater, as he wraps up his bid for the Republican lieutenant governor's nomination.

Campbell is holding press conferences at airports in Hilton Head, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Greenville and Columbia.

More on Lovelace's pigs

Oscar Lovelace's campaign for governor has gone to the pigs.

Lovelace, the Lake Murray phyisician challenging incumbent Gov. Mark Sanford in Tuesday's Republican primary, is flying around the state in the company of pigs named Integrity, Passion, Goodwill and Servant Leadership. Servant Leadership, he said, is the dominant member of the group.

Lovelace is using the pigs to gig Sanford, who famously brought two squealing piglets to the State House in 2004 to protest state spending. Today, Lovelace said, he is travelling with the porcine passengers to "get the governor to focused on bigger goals and not grandstranding."

Lovelace said as a former member of 4-H he would "never bring pigs or any livestock to the State House."

Wood drops out, endorses Staton for education superintendent

Kerry Wood of Batesburg-Leesville today urged people who plan to vote him in Tuesday's Republican primary for state superintendent of education to support Bob Staton of Lexington instead.

Wood's name will be on the June 13 ballot, but he said he thinks Staton will make the best nominee for the party heading into the fall general election.

"He really is the man for the job," Wood said. "He cares about the children of South Carolina."

Wood said he would help Staton in the closing days of the campaign and will send e-mails out to supporters.

"Whatever he needs, I'll be there for him," Wood said.

Political observers believe the Republican race for the nomination to be South Carolina's next chief public school officer is between Staton, a retired businessman and school reform activist, and Spartanburg's Karen Floyd, who was the first to declare her candidacy in April 2005.

Floyd is traveling by airplane around the state today with Gov. Mark Sanford and could not be reached for comment.

During a televised debate over the Memorial Day weekend, Wood said he would vote for Staton if he did not win the GOP nomination or qualify for runoff after next Tuesday's primary.

"I'm grateful for Kerry's support," Staton said. "We both share a committment to improving education in South Carolina."

The other candidates on the Republican ballot are Elizabeth Moffly of Mt. Pleasant and Mike Ryan of Surfside Beach.

The winner of the GOP primary will face off in the November general election against Democrat Jim Rex of Winnsboro and Tim Moultrie of Lexington, the Libertarian party nominee.

- BILL ROBINSON

Wood set to appear with Staton

Bob Staton of Lexington and Kerry Wood of Batesburg-Leesville, both Republican candidates for state superintendent of education, have called a joint press conference this morning at a Columbia elementary school where they say they will make an important campaign announcement.

During a televised debate over the Memorial Day weekend, Wood said he would vote for Staton if he did not win the GOP nomination or qualify for runoff after next Tuesday's primary.

Veteran political observers believe the Republican race for the nomination to be South Carolina's next chief public school officer is between Staton, a retired businessman and school reform activist, and Spartanburg's Karen Floyd, who was the first to declare her candidacy in April 2005.

The other candidates on the Republican ballot are Elizabeth Moffly of Mt. Pleasant and Mike Ryan of Surfside Beach.

Lovelace bringing pigs

Oscar Lovelace is bringing pigs to four campaign stops today.

The Republican gubernatorial candidate will be in Greenville at 10 a.m., Columbia at noon, Charleston at 2 p.m. and North Myrtle Beach at 4 p.m.

Gov. Mark Sanford brought pigs to the General Assembly in 2004 to criticize members for spending too much money. Lovelace has said Sanford's inability to get along with lawmakers has resulted in ineffective governing.

Sanford event attracts varied crowd

A crowd gathered outside Adam's Building Supply Tuesday in Clinton in anticipation of Gov. Mark Sanford's apppearance here, but they weren't all Sanford supporters.

A giant custom RV with the visage of Oscar Lovelace plastered on the side preceeded Sanford, the man Lovelace wants to unseat in next Tuesday's Republican primary.

Mark Willis, who opposes Rep. Adam Taylor, R-Laurens, in Tuesday's election was also on hand, lending this nondescript sheet metal building on U.S. 76 an air of excitement on a Tuesday afternoon.

Lovelace was not in the RV.

Sanford, in wrinkled chinos and a short-sleeve shirt ran through a series of charts showing increases in spending.

He declinded to specify what he will try and cut from the budget when he receives it this week and said it's a question of priorities.

He also said, in response to a question from a Lovelace supporter, that he declined a debate invitation because it was not a priority for him.

Sanford singled out Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-Laurens, who was in the audience, as one who has "walked the walk" when it came to controlling spending.

Republicans on dueling tours

Two pairs of Republican candidates for statewide office are crossing South Caroilna today.

Gov. Mark Sanford and state Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, a candidate for treasurer, are hitting the state's major cites. Separately, treasurer candidate Rick Quinn has hooked up with Attorney General Henry McMaster for a similar trip.

Sanford has previously endorsed Ryberg for the treasurer post. McMaster, a former state party chairman who is unopposed for re-election, will pitch in for Quinn.

Sanford to take spending fight on road

Gov. Mark Sanford pledged to take his message of cutting spending in the state budget directly to the people since the General Assembly decided to engage in "budget gamesmanship."

Sanford said in a Friday news conference that "if they won't come to me, I'll come to them. I plan to spend a whole lot of time the next week" traveling the state in response to lawmakers' decision not send him a finalized budget bill before they adjourned Thursday.

Sanford had wanted to deliver his budget vetoes before the June 13 primaries, but was thwarted when the General Assembly adjourned without ratifying the plan. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said earlier that that was intentional, as a "trump card" designed to prevent Sanford from trying to order lawmakers back to Columbia next week to consider his budget vetoes.

Sanford said Friday he would drop any effort to force lawmakers back earlier.

Sanford would not specify Friday where exactly where he will go. When asked if his travels would include stops in House districts of Republicans considered vulnerable in the primaries, the governor did not rule it out.

"You're going to see me pop up a lot of different places," he said. "We're going to fully cover South Carolina - large quandrants of South Carolina. If you're going to cover large portions of South Carolina, it would be near impossible ... without hitting some of those districts."

Bauer presides over Senate

Walking on crutches, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer returned to Columbia this afternoon to a standing ovation in the S.C. Senate.

Bauer, who was injured in a plane crash May 23, presided over the Senate for most of the last hour as it concluded work today.

"I didn't think I'd ever be with you all again," Bauer said.

"I didn't want this session to end without seeing all my old friends," added Bauer, who said the accident ahs been a "very moving experience for me."

Members gave Bauer sustained applause.

"We are so appreciative you survived," said Sen. David Thomas, R-Greenville.

Sanford eases call for special session

Gov. Mark Sanford may be backing off his vow to call lawmakers back into session next week.

Gubernatorial spokeman Joel Sawyer said Thursday afternoon the governor had met with legislative leaders who told him they will not return to Columbia next week, even if he signs an executive order telling them to.

Lawmakers already plan to return June 14-16, but Sanford wants them here next week.

Earlier this week, Sanford said he would definitely order the General Assembly back next week. But lawmakers do not believe he has the authority to do so because they have already agreed on their own to return.

Sawyer said the governor has not decided whether he will call lawmakers back.

Fate of hog-dog fighting bill not clear

A push for tougher penalties for animal fighting has not been settled.

House-Senate conference committee members have yet to reach a deal agreeable to some rural lawmakers, who see the new penalties as too tough.

The bill aims to end hog-dog fighting - events where dogs maul and maim hogs to subdue them and people bet on how fast that bloody work is done. It also includes increased penalties for promoting cockfighting.

Second and later offenses carry fines of $3,000 and up to three years in prison. People also would forfeit money tied to a cockfighting event.

Because a conference committee is working on the issue, it could be resolved when the General Assembly returns later this month to handle vetoes by Gov. Mark Sanford.

Property rights bill coming to wire

A House-Senate conference committee will pick up discussions about 3:15 p.m. on a bill limiting local governments' ability to obtain private property.

So far, committee members have failed to resolve a key difference. The House version reforming eminent domain would require compensation in cases where rezoning reduced an owner's property value. The Senate version does not include the language.

The committee is working on a tight time frame. Lawmakers will end the regular session of the General Assembly at 5 p.m. today. The issue could also be resolved when lawmakers return later this month to handle budget vetoes.

'Daniel's Law' expanded

Unharmed newborns may be left without penalty at more "safe haven" locations under a bill passed by the General Assembly.

Lawmakers agreed to expand "Daniel's Law," allows unharmed newborns to be left at hospitals or outpatient locations. The new provision includes law enforcement agencies and churches and synagogues as "safe havens."

The existing law was enacted in 2000 and is named after a newborn who survived burial in a landfill.

Lawmakers request Hunley audith

Nine members of the House have asked the Legislative Audit Council to conduct an audit of the Hunley Commission.

In Legislative Audit Council audits, auditors do detailed checks of spending and also evaluate a group's money-handling by comparing it to known best financial practices.

Five members of the General Assembly must write a letter seeking an audit. The speaker of the House or the Senate president pro tem can also request an audit.

The request now goes to the Council, which must decide whether to honor the request.

The nine requesting the audit are:
Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Richland Rep. Herb Kirsh, D-York Rep. Ted Pitts, R-Lexington Rep. Bessie Moody-Lawrence, D-York Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-Laurens Rep. Thayer Rivers, D-Jasper Rep. Ralph Norman, R-York Rep. Scott Talley, R-Spartanburg Rep. Ken Kennedy, D-Williamsburg

Bauer to stand for debate

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer will be standing, not seated, during Friday's televised debate with other candidates for the office.

ETV, which is broadcasting the program, said Wednesday it had changed the format to accommodate Bauer, who was injured in a May 23 plane crash.

The agency had contacted the other campaigns to get approval based on "an understandable assumption" a change would be required, said Catherine Christman, vice president of communications at ETV.

But Bauer's campaign contacted ETV on Thursday and asked that the original format be followed.

"He's better off leaning on a podium than sitting," said Rod Shealy, Bauer's campaign consultant. "It's very uncomfortable for him to sit."

Bauer will be standing behind a podium as will the two other Republican candidates, - Michael Campbell of Columbia and Henry Jordan of Anderson.

The program will be the first campaign-related event for Bauer since he was injured in a May 23 plane crash.

Bauer has remained in the Upstate since being released from Greenville Memorial Hospital on Saturday.

The plane Bauer, 37, was piloting crashed just after takeoff from an a airstrip near Blacksburg in Cherokee County.

Bauer is expected to have an operation to repair a shattered left heel later this month.

The debate will take place in ETV's Columbia studios. The one-hour program will air live at 7 p.m on Friday. It is coordinated by ETV and The State newspaper.

The winner of the Republican nomination will face Democrat Robert Barber of Charleston, who is unopposed in the June 13 primary.

Conference to meet on property rights

House and Senate negotiators are preparing to meet in search of a compromise on eminent domain legislation.

The two bodies agree on much in the bill but the House wants to include a requirement that local governments compensate landowners for loss of value due to rezoning and land use rules.

Limits on local governments' ability to take private property gained traction nationally after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowed taking in the case of an economic development project headed by a private developer.

Ethics fine cap headed to Sanford

A bill capping fines from the State Ethics Commission at $5,000 total is headed to Gov. Mark Sanford's desk.

The House gave final approval to the bill this morning after agreeing with Senate changes.

The State Ethics Commission wanted the limit after a 2003 change created more than $1.2 million in unpaid penalties for paperwork violations. Legislators had hoped open-ended fines would encourage compliance, but that hasn't always happened.

Senate chaplain honored

Senators are saying goodbye and thank you this morning to their longtime chaplain, who is retiring today after 56 years.

Rev. George Meetze, 96, delivered his final invocation and was being feted by cake and hugs as the Senate stands in recess for 15 minutes.

As Meetze finished his final prayer, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, nearly whispered, "God bless you."

Meetze, is a Lutheran minister and a resident of West Columbia, was elected to serve on January 10, 1950. He has served continuously since.

He "invoked a spirit which really lifted up the Senate up many, many times," Senate president pro tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said.

Meetze, as is his custom, declined to be interviewed. But senators said he was a quiet fore of conciliation over the past five decades.

Sen. Darrell Jackson, a Columbia Democrat, said Meetze's prayers often became a basis for sermons at the church where he is a pastor.

Meetze's example "taught me to be more tolerant" of lawmakers with opposite views, Jackson said.

Funeral protest bill vetoed

A bill making it a misdemeanor to picket within 1,000 feet of a funeral service was vetoed by Gov. Mark Sanford. The ban applies to 30 minutes before and after a service.

The measure also criminalizes interrupting ceremonies at cemeteries.

Lawmakers could decide whether to override the veto today, the last day of the regular session.

Cockfighting debate ahead

Cockfighting supporters are expected today to make a final push to derail stronger penalties for the blood sport in the Senate.

Senators must get a two-thirds vote to approve compromise legislation that also makes hog-dog fighting a felony.

House and Senate negotiators on Wednesday stripped the bill of felony punishment for cockfighting but upped the misdemeanor fines for the crime.

Lawmakers mulling return date

House leaders have yet to decide how to respond if Gov. Mark Sanford orders lawmakers back into session next week to deal with vetoes.

The General Assembly has voted to retun June 14-16 to deal with budget vetoes, but Sanford wants them to come back next week.

The governor says it's about voters in the June 13 primary knowing where lawmakers stand on Sanford's goals of limiting spending.

Lawmakers say that is already clear and that Sanford is playing politics.

"It's all about politics," said House Ways and Means Chairman Dan Cooper, R-Anderson. "It's so he can get headlines."

Last day of session

How much to expand private property rights is among the topics lawmakers will tackle as they assemble this morning for the last day of the legislative session.

The House and Senate have different approaches to limiting local governments' ability to take private property, with the House insisting on a version that requires compensation to owners when rezoning reduces land value.

Other issues, such as banning hog-dog fighting and boosting penalties for cockfighting, are likely to be discussed.

Off the table are the high profile issues of property tax reform and state spending. Both measures cleared the General Assembly Wednesday.

Lawmakers are likely to return later this month to vote on expected budget vetoes by Gov. Mark Sanford. Just when they'll be back is unclear.