Advocacy Group Criticizes Haley's Recent Port Decision in New TV Ad

Conservatives for Truth In Politics has bought television time statewide to broadcast a new ad that criticizes Gov. Nikki Haley's recent port decision.

The South Carolina advocacy group said the advertisement will expose the "backroom deal" with officials from the Savannah Port.

“Governor Haley’s actions are both bizarre and unexplainable. It’s an attack on South Carolina’s economy and our workers," said Conservatives for Truth In Politics Executive Director Liana Orr.

"Haley needs to come clean about her dealings with Savannah Port officials as well as other Georgia elected officials," Orr said. "South Carolinians expect their Governor to fight to protect jobs in South Carolina, not send them to Georgia."

Rep. Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston) on Wednesday released the following statement about Haley and the DHEC Board's decision on the Savannah River.

"Today’s news that Gov. Haley had a secret fund raiser in the state of Georgia just days before she and her DHEC Board sold out the Port of Chalreston, the SC environment and the SC economy is an outrage. That this fund raiser was put together by a board member of the Georgia State Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce, and held at a law firm engaged in port related legal work is even more troubling. Governor Haley needs to come clean immediately on all of her Georgia dealings.”

Last month, Haley’s appointees on the DHEC board reversed their longtime position against allowing dredging in waters around the South Carolina/Georgia border which would allow large container ships access to the Savannah port.

Members of the Savannah River Maritime Commission voted on Nov. 14 to take legal action against the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control for issuing a permit allowing the Georgia Ports Authority to deepen the Savannah River leading to the Port of Savannah.

Haley could not be reached for comment on Wednesday, but at a meeting at the Propeller Club in Charleston a few weeks ago, Haley defended her position.

TIP said the ads will begin running during and around the South Carolina-Clemson football game and will continue into the next week. The ads will air on both cable and network television.