ORANGEBURG, S.C. - The ten candidates vying to become governor next year will debate tonight at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.

And while some OCtech students say they don’t know much about the candidates yet, they are interested in what the next governor can do for the state’s education system.

Shawn Ratcliff hopes to become a doctor one day. But he notes the cost of a college education is quite high in South Carolina.

Ratcliff says it’s cheaper to attend a technical college in a financially depleted state like California than it is here.

“Why such a big difference? They’re broke. We’re not quite as broke,” he said.

Ratcliff said it’s also important for South Carolina’s new leader to represent the state in a positive light. He said the fallout from Gov. Mark Sanford’s extramarital affair has been damaging.

“I do think we need to rebuild our image. That way we can have better clout and can get things accomplished that we need to get accomplished,” he said.

The five Republicans and five Democrats seeking to become governor will sit side-by-side this afternoon to tape a 90-minute debate. The debate will be broadcast on South Carolina Educational Television at 8 p.m.

The taping itself is an invitation-only event. It will take place at OCtech’s Roquemore Auditorium.

Issues to be discussed include natural resources, especially conservation and economic development. However, the debate is not expected to have any topic restrictions.

ETV producer Tom Posey said managing that many candidates on stage is quite a challenge.

“It is very unusual for us to have that many candidates on a stage. In fact, I bet that is the most I’ve had in a debate and I’ve done dozens and dozens of debates,” Posey said.



OCtech student Brandon Williams plans to watch the debate tonight. He wants a candidate that will address gangs and drug use in schools.

“It’s a bad thing to see young kids in jail when they are supposed to be in school and getting their life together,” he said.

Williams said the next governor needs to sell the importance of education to young kids. He says he has no favorite in the race right now.

Latonya Rivers was busy studying for a biology lab Monday. She hopes the next governor will find ways to make college more affordable.

She wants to know, “how they are going to provide more money for the school system.”

Rivers’ classmate, Rolanda Council, said having the candidates on campus is a good opportunity to find out what they plan to bring to the table.

“We don’t need more people that are just going to talk. We need people that are going to be about doing what they say they are going to do,” Council said.

Democrats participating in tonight’s debate are: state Superintendent of Education Jim Rex, state Sen. Vincent Sheheen of Camden, Columbia attorney Dwight Drake, state Sen. Robert Ford of Charleston and Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod. Republicans running for governor are: state Attorney General Henry McMaster, Lt. Gov Andre Bauer, state Rep. Nikki Haley of Lexington, U.S. Congressman Gresham Barrett of Westminster and state Sen. Larry Grooms of Berkley County.

The primary elections will be held in June 2010. The general election will take place on Nov. 2 of next year.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060.

You must be logged in to comment.