UPDATED: Sanford Hits Colbert Busch on Union Donations, She Hits Back

Toting a sign listing union campaign donors for his rival, former Gov. Mark Sanford called a brief press conference Wednesday asking Elizabeth Colbert Busch to speak out on the $5,000 campaign donation by the very union that endangered Boeing's existence in South Carolina. 

It's the second time in two days the Sanford campaign has brought the issue to the press. Colbert Busch is the Democratic candidate running against Republican Sanford in the special May 7 election for South Carolina First Congressional District.

"These are the very people who would have prevented the Boeing jobs from being here," Sanford said.

Sanford spoke with Boeing South Carolina at his back, outside the Charleston Airport Wednesday, and said Colbert Busch should either issue a statement on the donation or return the money to International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. IAMAW filed charges against Boeing with the National Labor Relations Board. The charges could have interrupted the South Carolina operation.

Sanford also said Colbert Busch needs to make up her mind, either she's pro-union or pro-jobs — she can't be both, he said. 

In a statement, Colbert Busch responded to Sanford:

“If there is anyone out there who believes that a board member of the Chamber of Commerce – not to mention the chairwoman of the South Carolina Maritime Association, chairwoman of the International Trade Conference and one of the Journal of Commerce’s Top 20 Women in Transportation – is in the pocket of big labor, I have some oceanfront property in Wyoming for you. In my role at Clemson University, I have been delighted to work so closely with Boeing on research and development in this community, as well as working together to strengthen our workforce through science, technology, engineering and math education. I couldn’t be more pleased that a strong partner like Boeing is expanding here.

“I’m not surprised at Mark Sanford’s false attacks on my character, because I am receiving overwhelming support from across the political spectrum – Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike. We’re getting support from so many different corners because the people of South Carolina want a tough, independent businesswoman to bring that same attitude to Washington and solve our country’s problems. I have refused to take any special interest pledges because my only pledge is to the people of South Carolina – and that is exactly why so many diverse groups are backing me.”

Campaign Press Secretary James Smith added:

“Former Governor Mark Sanford spent most of his career opposing the very public-private partnerships that are key to job growth, and even opposed funding for the Arthur Ravenel Bridge and improving the Charleston Harbor. The fact is, we can’t rely on Mark to commit to bringing industry and the public together to create jobs. These false attacks on Elizabeth are part of a pattern of dishonesty, and we won’t let it stand.”

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Edited 5:10 p.m. April 10 to correct a statement that made it sound like the IAMAW filed charges to stop Boeing South Carolina operations. While IAMAW filed charges, it was not seeking to end operations in the state.