Vaughters Nabs Endorsement from Gov. Nikki Haley

The term “Good Ol’ Boy” isn’t necessarily a pejorative. But around the State of South Carolina, it has a decidedly negative connotation when describing members of the General Assembly.

On Tuesday afternoon in West Columbia, no one actually called Nikki Setzler a Good Ol’ Boy, but they didn’t have to. Because when Gov. Nikki Haley endorsed DeeDee Vaughters for Senate District 26, a seat which has been held by Setzler since 1976, the implication was clear.

Both Haley and Vaughters started the session by praising Setzler for his service and noting that he is a “good man.”

They then unleashed a fire hose of complaints meant to show why they think he is part of the problem in the Senate. To wit:

• His refusal to support Haley’s Department of Administration
• Being absent for key votes.
• Taking advantage of per diem privileges even though he lives less than five miles from the Statehouse.
• Taking advantage of redistricting to solidify the hold on his seat.
• Taking his pension while still holding office.
• A refusal to debate Vaughters.

In addition to conservative principles, Haley has other things in common with Vaughters, most notably, a willingness to take on the status quo. When Haley first ran for office she faced an incumbent who had been in office for decades, much like the situation Vaughters has in challenging Setzler.

Vaughters, who is a member of the South Carolina Policy Council, was critical of Setzler’s labeling himself as a conservative. Setzler is a member of the Democratic Party, but his campaign literature calls him a “caring conservative.” A visit to Setzler’s website finds no mention of party affiliation.

Vaughters also vowed to support a Department of Administration and tough ethics reform. “I think they’re closely related and it would be hard to have one without the other,” she said.

In addition, Vaughters also spoke in favor of term limits of 12 years and of restrictions on per diem payments to members of the General Assembly who live within 55 miles of the Statehouse—a limitation that would apply to her.

While Tuesday’s announcement made official Haley’s support of Vaughters, the governor’s 527—the Movement Fund—has helped pay for television commercials that are critical of Setzler.

See who Gov. Haley has supported so far in this election cycle HERE.