SC1 Debate: Curtis Bostic, Mark Sanford Spar on Spending

Mark Sanford and Curtis Bostic, the two candidates vying for the Republican nomination in the First Congressional District, spent most of their one-hour plus debate on Thursday evening discussing their records and spending.

Held at an auditorium at Porter Gaud School, the debate was moderated by talk show host David Webb and was sponsored by the SCGOP.

The opening question focused on the government’s role in making the Port of Charleston as competitive as possible. Sanford explained the urgency of deepening the port in light of pending Panamax treaties and the national, rather than local, economic importance.

According to Bostic, funding the port is tied to the Constitution as stated in the Commerce Clause.

The tone of the debate was generally congenial but the candidates traded shots during a portion of the debate Webb attempted to model after the Abraham Lincoln-Stephen Douglas Illinois Senate race in 1858.

Time and again, Sanford and Bostic returned to their records. Sanford cited his three terms in Congress and his two terms as governor as proof of his commitment to limited government. Bostic talked about his eight years of holding the line on tax increases while on the Charleston County Council.

But, Sanford painted a narrative that Charleston County taxes increased under Bostic's tenure on council, Bostic interrupted him saying "Tell the whole story."

According to Bostic, the whole story is that voters voted on a referendum, outside of council's control, to pass a sales tax increase.

“We invite voters to lay out their spending records and decide for themselves,” said Joel Sawyer, Sanford’s campaign spokesman.

Late in the debate, Sanford criticized Bostic’s attendance at county council meetings, and Bostic replied that his absences were because he was at home taking care of his wife, who had been stricken with cancer. 

Otherwise, it was Bostic who offered up the bulk of the critiques on the night.

He hit Sanford hard over his comments that he's a "wounded warrior" twice during the evening. Bostic retorted that "He's not a Wounded Warrior, I have friends who are Wounded Warriors."

Bostic also questioned Sanford's ability to win against Democratic rival Elizabeth Colbert Busch, calling home a “compromised candidate.”

He said losing the seat is a real possibility with Sanford as the GOP nominee. A poll released earlier this week showed Colbert Busch ahead of Sanford and in a dead heat with Bostic.

One of Bostic’s recurring themes on the evening was consenus building, noting that Sanford was overridden by his own party more times than not while he was in Congress. 

"Sometimes it takes more than saying no. It takes someone to build relationships," Bostic said.

Citing his underdog status in his closing remarks, Bostic said,”I know I'm Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, but I can do this."

Sanford reminded the audience that he will have more tenure than half of his fellow members in the House should he be elected, given that he already served for six years. His closing remarks featured a lengthy quote from Barry Goldwater.

Election Day is Tuesday, April 2.