Standing outside a pharmacy Wednesday in Rock Hill, Gov. Mark Sanford managed to fulfill two goals in one half-hour appearance.
First, he got in a plug for friend and political ally Ralph Norman, who is running for the state House. Second, he touted his love for small businesses at a ribbon-cutting for the new Family Care Pharmacy.
Brothers Rakesh and Jay Patel opened the pharmacy in a new part of Northwoods Square, a shopping center developed by Norman on Celanese Road. The Patels own a pharmacy in Charlotte and plan to open two more in coming months.
It'll be hard to top the fanfare generated at Wednesday's event.
A flock of TV cameras showed up for Sanford's first appearance in Rock Hill since his admission of an affair with a woman living in Argentina.
“I think the world of Ralph Norman,” Sanford told an audience of 50 people. “I told Ralph I was going to be up in this neck of the woods. He said, ‘You know, you ought to come by this pharmacy that's opening up.'”
Later in the day, Democrat Kathy Cantrell questioned why Norman continues to align himself with Sanford.
Cantrell, a River Hills resident, is battling Norman for the state House District 48 seat vacated by former Rep. Carl Gullick. The election is Nov. 3.
“He's been a huge distraction to the work that needs to be done for the citizens of our state,” Cantrell said of Sanford. “There's such a dislike for him throughout the state. Apparently, they are friends. Still, I don't think it's very politically astute.”
Norman could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.
Sanford was in the area for a visit to Honeywell, a safety products maker in Clover that announced a $10.5 million expansion this summer.
Norman and his family looked on while Sanford gave a talk about the importance of small business owners. Norman took out his own camera to snap a few pictures.
On the campaign trail, Norman has become one of the governor's most outspoken defenders, saying that while Sanford has made mistakes, he's also done good things for the state.
Sanford on the record
Gov. Mark Sanford stopped by The Herald during his visit to Rock Hill. An hourlong session with the newspaper's editorial board covered many issues, including his goals for the remaining 14 months of his term and a state Ethics Commission investigation of his travels.
On his “narrowed focus”
Following his admission this summer of an affair with a woman in Argentina, Sanford is no longer busy with fundraising and media appearances for the national GOP. Sanford said he now has more time and a narrower focus.
“When I look back at my life pre-June, it was incredibly busy. I would think nothing of flying off on a Friday, speaking in California and taking the red eye back.
“In the wake of all this, my life has been incredibly simplified, which gives you further focus on not how you would like the world to be, but what can be done for 14 months that remain.”
On why an upcoming report should be kept secret
Sanford's lawyers are trying to block the release to legislators of a preliminary report from the state Ethics Commission about the governor's travels and expenses. The report could be similar to an indictment and does not contain the governor's complete defense.
“What we said is, do the complete investigation, take testimony, get witnesses, do all the stuff that you do. And then, when the ethics committee is done with its report, let's release it to the world. That is not about non-transparency. It has something to do with wholeness.”
On whether he still wants to close USC Lancaster
Sanford took a tour of the two-year college campus last month with Dean John Catalano. Last year, Sanford proposed closing the school in a cost-saving move.
“I was incredibly impressed with John and his team. We haven't made a definitive budget decision, but I would say the visit was instructive and I walked away impressed.”
On Mick Mulvaney's chances against U.S. Rep. John Spratt
Sanford sidestepped an opportunity to voice support for Mulvaney, a former ally mulling a run for the 5th Congressional District. Mulvaney, a state senator, sharply criticized Sanford after the governor's secret trip to Argentina.
“I'm not really familiar with this district. My guess is, the district numbers may cut against you. I don't know. But it may be changing so fast with what's happening up at Sun City and the growth coming out of Charlotte. I'm not current enough to know.”
Matt Garfield 803-329-4063
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