It looks like Democrat Dwight Drake is the only one up for a Nov. 2 debate.
Phil Noble, head of the S.C. New Democrats, and others were attempting to organize a TV debate for that date.
But, according to e-mails provided to The State, Sen. Vincent Sheheen of Camden, state Superintendent of Education Jim Rex and Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod had too much to do to make the event.
Drake said Wednesday he was surprised he was the sole Democrat up for the televised event.
"I got an e-mail that said the others didn't want to debate because the others didn't have time to prepare," said Drake, a Columbia attorney and former lobbyist. "I can't imagine anyone deciding to run and not being ready to debate."
But campaign officials for both McLeod and Sheheen say they declined to participate because another televised debate had already been scheduled for Nov. 3 in Orangeburg. The two campaigns said it made more sense to spread the debates further apart. "Maybe all that lobbying work Dwight has done for the hazardous waste industry has polluted his memory," said Lachlan McIntosh, McLeod's spokesman, Wednesday.
Now, the S.C. New Democrats are considering a January debate.