Posted on 03/28/2002 2:29:42 AM PST by Captain Shady
By LARRY HILLIARD
Ledger Staff Writer
South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Bob Peeler couldn't imagine a better place to officially launch his gubernatorial campaign than Cherokee County. "I'll be there with my family and extended family," said Peeler, who now lives in Lexington. "Gaffney is my hometown and it's important to kick off my campaign there. It's where I grew up working side be side with my brothers and father (in the milk business.) "It's going to be a good casual event to enjoy each other's company."
The campaign fundraiser, billed as "Barbecue, Bluegrass and Bob", will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday at Hatcher's Farm off Twin Bridge Road.
"I'm so proud to be having my hometown campaign kickoff," he said. "Gaffney epitomizes the kind of hard work, accountability and common sense values that make South Carolina great. Over the next several months, our campaign will focus on how to bring these values back to the governor's office."
Peeler faces a crowded field in the Republican Party Primary this year, including state Attorney General Charlie Condon and Secretary of State Jim Miles. But Peeler said early polling results are encouraging. "I feel very good; the polling is favorable," he said. Over the next couple of weeks, Peeler is expected to unveil his policies for education, taxes and governmental reform. This week, he's announced his Palmetto Prosperity Plan for economic development. The plan emphasizes small business growth, he said.
Peeler was elected lieutenant governor in 1994 and won re-election in 1998. As state GOP co-chairman, Peeler also played a large role in President George W. Bush's victory in the South Carolina primary.
Peeler is the son of the late Smith Peeler and Sally Bratton Peeler. He graduated from Gaffney High School in 1970. He's married to the former Bett Carter. They have two children.
Yes,you're right.I was born in Gaffney and I can only say one thing.Thank goodness, Gaffney isn't the nation's cucumber capital.
By SCOTT POWELL
Ledger Staff Writer
It was "Barbecue, Bluegrass and Bob" for several hundred people Thursday evening as Lt. Gov. Bob Peeler officially announced his candidacy for governor.
Peeler made formal campaign announcements in his current home in Lexington before traveling to his hometown in Gaffney for an evening of barbecue and bluegrass, surrounded by some of his biggest supporters. Peeler officially filed for governor at the Republican State Party headquarters in Columbia early Thursday.
"I've got to tell you. Growing up in a little white frame house off Leadmine Road in Gaffney, and working in our family business alongside my brothers and dad, I never dreamed I might run for governor some day — and believe me — neither did they," Peeler said. "If there ever was any doubt, let me end all the suspense right here and now. Today, I'm here to tell you. I'm running for governor and I'm running to win."
Peeler is one of seven candidates who are seeking the Republican nomination. His key issues are economic development, taxes, education and values.
"We have serious issues in South Carolina that have been ignored for too long. Many citizens have suffered as a result of the governor's (Jim Hodges) lack of interest in economic development, cuts to education and tax hikes," Peeler said. "While the Hodges administration has taken a pass on these tough issues, I will not. I will provide the kind of common sense consensus building leadership South Carolinians expect from their governor."
Before running for state office in 1994, Peeler worked in the family milk business for many years and was involved in local politics including a stint as Cherokee County School Board chairman.
Viewed as a political longshot by the experts, Peeler was elected lieutenant governor in 1994 after winning a 3-way Republican Primary and tough election against a former congresswoman. He was re-elected as lieutenant governor in 1998.
He lists his accomplishments as lieutenant governor as helping pass property tax relief such as car taxes, campaigning for full-day kindergarten and chairing a performance audit of state government.
"We haven't always been the flashiest, loudest or the wonkiest, but we've been able to produce real results on issues that really matter to real people," Peeler said. "Now, it's time to take that next step to move across the hall, or as my son Robert likes to say, 'It's time to drop that lieutenant, Daddy.'"
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