Democrats Platt, Peterson Hutto in D115 race

Two years ago, Democrat Eugene Platt barely missed out on winning the James Island/Folly Beach seat in the state House of Representatives, falling short to incumbent Republican Wallace Scarborough by a mere 40 votes.

This year he's trying for the seat again but first has to get by newcomer Anne Peterson Hutto in the June 10 Democratic primary.

Platt, 69, began walking door-to-door in the district's many neighborhoods in January. "I've shown to others as well as to myself that I can win. I'm working harder."

Peterson Hutto, 40, an attorney who has never sought public office, said she's ready to answer a life-long calling of public service, and also the Democratic Party's call for more women in politics.

Strengthening state and local education are among her key issues, including advocating pay raises for teachers and fair and equitable funding of schools. At the same time she wants to reduce drop-out rates while increasing classroom discipline.

Platt said there is a lot of frustration over illegal immigration and that he favors "reflecting those views in the Legislature," even if he finds himself at odds with other Democrats. He is also against completing the Mark Clark Expressway, an issue on which Peterson Hutto is undecided.

Read more in tomorrow's editions of The Post and Courier.