Candidate Forum Will Focus Attention on Upstate

A political forum sponsored by the Greenville and Spartanburg Republican parties will focus attention on the Upstate just days before the primary.

The forum to be held on Jan. 13 at Byrnes High School in Duncan, just eight days before the first-in-the-south South Carolina Republican Primary. It will be broadcast live on WORD at 6:30 p.m.

"This close to the primary, this will be the last time many of them will be in the Upstate or at least appearing together," according to LaDonna Ryggs, chair of the Spartanburg County Republican Party.

Ryggs said they began preparing for the forum earlier this week and have confirmed Rick Santorum will attend. At this time, Rick Perry and Jon Huntsman are expected to attend the event, she said. Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich have all been invited. On Thursday spokespersons for Romney and Paul said the candidates would not be attending. Romney will be at a rally in Hilton Head.

Fourth Congressional Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-SC, will moderate the event, Ryggs said. She said the forum is not a head-to-head debate, but rather and opportunity for the candidates to speak to those in attendance.

Bronze Elephant members for the Spartanburg County Republican Party will be able to attend the event as one of their free events included in their yearly membership dues. Greenville County Republican Party members may purchase tickets for $30. A barbecue dinner will be served as part of the event.

All proceeds from the forum will benefit the Republican party in both counties.

If you live in Spartanburg County and would like to attend, contact Ryggs at ryberta@yahoo.com or by calling (864) 906-5574, or Monica Hill at monica.hill@charter.net.

In Greenville, contact party headquarters at (864) 271-1100.