Scarborough running for re-election

GOP incumbent, two Democrats seek House seat to represent James Is., Folly

Citing his "continued dedication to getting things done for James Island and Folly Beach," state Rep. Wallace Scarborough has filed for re-election for the House District 115 seat.

Scarborough is the only Republican who has filed to run. Eugene Platt and Anne Peterson Hutto both have filed as Democrats. They will face off June 10, and the winner will run against Scarborough in November.

Scarborough, who sits on the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee in the Statehouse, said he will continue to work to improve the area's quality of life. District 115 encompasses all of Folly Beach and 95 percent of James Island.

"I was born on James Island, and the James Island-Folly Beach community is a very special place," said Scarborough. "We enjoy a quality of life, which is nearly unmatched elsewhere in the state."

He said he is running for re-election in part because he is being considered for chairman of the Labor and Commerce Committee, an important position that helps make decisions about businesses that operate in the state. "If I get this chairmanship, I will be in a position to do a whole lot for James Island and Folly Beach," he said.

Scarborough said he would continue to meet families through his door-to-door campaign. "My goal is to personally visit 3,000 homes this year," Scarborough said. "Being able to meet people one on one is the best part of this job."

Scarborough said his accomplishments since he took office in 2001 include improving traffic on James Island and Folly Beach, helping to save the Morris Island lighthouse, protecting Long Island and other islands from unplanned development, helping James Island Charter High School get its charter and assisting in the creation of the town of James Island.

Scarborough said his future goals are to continue to represent the taxpayers, support Gov. Mark Sanford's goals of reforming and restructuring state government and explore ways to eliminate financial waste, duplication and inefficiency.

"I'll continue to work for improved state services for senior citizens," he added.

Peterson Hutto, a local attorney who has lived on James Island for more than 10 years, says she is running to improve the quality of life for James Island and Folly Beach residents.

She said she will bring her message to the voters in a grass-roots campaign and will work toward improving traffic congestion, enforcing environmental regulations and slowing growth.

"Too many people go up to Columbia and spend their time hobnobbing with lobbyists, other politicians and special-interest groups, but not me. I want to work for people right here on James Island and Folly Beach," Peterson Hutto said.

Platt, who lost to Scarborough by 40 votes in 2006, is running on a platform that includes protecting the environment from development, lowering taxes (including income, property and sales taxes) and imposing stricter fines on companies that knowingly hire illegal immigrants. He has served as a James Island Public Service District commissioner since 1993.

Platt, 68, said he can identify with the needs of senior citizens. He announced his candidacy last December, almost a year before the election.

"I'm no Abe Lincoln, but there's something to be said for tenacity," Platt said.

Platt's election Web site is www.voteplatt.com. Peterson Hutto's is www.huttoforhouse.com. Scarborough's biography can be found at www.scstatehouse.net.