2010 is a critical year for South Carolina. Our state has suffered from record unemployment, underfunded public schools, and politicians who have put their own self interest ahead of working families in our state for far too long.

In April of last year, I began my campaign for Governor to help bring about the change South Carolina needs. I have traveled all over this beautiful state, from the coast to the mountains. And I can assure you that our people deserve better from what they are getting from the Governor’s office. They deserve leaders who will say no to special interest lobbyists who poison the system. They deserve leaders who will put people first again and change the culture in Columbia.

Our window of opportunity for change in South Carolina is not that wide and it’s not that long.  The school's kids who aren’t getting proper nutrition at home can’t wait any longer – the unemployed and underemployed parents who don’t know where the next mortgage check is coming from can’t wait any longer. The teachers who are scared to death that they’ll be the next victim of budget cuts cannot wait any longer.

South Carolina needs fundamental change but many of the candidates for Governor, especially on the Republican side, represent more of the same.

Over the course of my candidacy I have come to know Vincent Sheheen. Like my candidacy, Vincent’s run for Governor represents a new generation of leaders I believe our state desperately needs. Vincent, too, is a change candidate. He has stood up to the lobbyists, he has fought to create jobs and he knows the politics of the past won’t solve today’s problems. And, without doubt, the politics of the past cannot prepare us for the future.

Running for Governor has been a real pleasure for me. Talking with hard working South Carolinians who desperately want what’s best for their families has made a huge impact on me. But this campaign is not about me and it never has been. This campaign is about those families. This campaign is about bringing the change those families so desperately need. 

For the sake of our state and our party’s chances in November, I will not allow those seeking change to endure a divisive primary battle between candidates fighting for the same thing. There’s simply too much at risk.  A Bauer, McMaster, Barrett or Haley in the Governor's office would do what we have seen done in the past - they would forget about the everyday folks in South Carolina and concentrate on the status quo. We cannot let this happen.

Today, I am ending my candidacy for Governor and I will not seek any elected office in 2010. Instead, I will continue to fight for those families and I will continue to fight for change by endorsing and campaigning for Vincent Sheheen.

Unified, we can win in November. Unified we can improve our schools, create jobs, curb the influence of lobbyists, and prepare for the future. Together we can bring change – divided we will fail.

I’d like to thank my supporters, staff, and volunteers for their hard work and dedication. And I ask them to join me in actively making Vincent Sheheen South Carolina’s next Governor.

Sincerely,