Independent gubernatorial candidate Tom Ervin has kicked off a $500,000 statewide television advertising buy that seeks to emphasize two of his campaign's central messages.
The campaign is continuing to run two advertisements as part of the buy, one that focuses on a plan to improve South Carolina's economy and another that promises reforms for a more ethical government. The ads have already aired as part of the campaign's recent $2 million advertising buy. A series of digital advertisements is also being planned, according to Ervin campaign spokesman Christian Hertenstein.
Ervin is coming off of a statewide listening tour and informal town halls, and he said in an interview that he wants to provide an alternative to the race's major candidates, Republican Gov. Nikki Haley and Democratic Sen. Vincent Sheheen. Ervin jumped into the race relatively late and has largely self-funded his gubernatorial bid.
Ervin said the recent indictment of House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, over office-related ethics issues, underscores the need for ethics reform in the state.
"We need an independent investigative body to investigate legislative ethics complaints," Ervin said. "Had we had one, this (Harrell) scandal would not have lingered for so long." Ethics complaints against members of the House and Senate are generally overseen by respective ethics committees in either chamber.
Ervin said that if elected he would ban so-called Leadership PACs, a form of raising money in politics that has fewer reporting requirements. His ad also says the state should ban gifts to politicians, and Ervin criticized Haley for accepting gifts. Since becoming governor in 2011, Haley has reported $152,600 in gifts, according to The State.
"I want to restore the true meaning of public service, and that is you do it to serve the public interest not as a way to feather your own nest," Ervin said.
A Haley campaign spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ervin also hopes to gain in-roads on an issue many consider to be Haley's greatest strength - the state's economy. Haley has been aggressive in recruiting companies and the state's unemployment rate has dropped.
In his advertisement, Ervin put out an economic blueprint that includes abolishing the state income tax and increasing the state's minimum wage. Ervin said that abolishing the state income tax does not mean the state would have fewer dollars because the plan also calls for eliminating exemptions to the state's sales tax.
"(The plan) would allow us to put more money back on Main Street . stimulate small business, and help us grow jobs," he said.