BY ROBERT BEHRE
Reprinted from the Post and Courier

Republican State Rep. Wallace Scarborough says he wants to go back to Columbia to continue to work on the issues of interest to voters on James Island and Folly Beach, and Democratic challenger Eugene Platt says he wants to win the seat to do more to fight development.

On some issues the two candidates have much in common. Both support the constitutional amendment saying marriage should be between a man and a woman, both support the new town of James Island and both would fight legislation calling for a local government to compensate property owners if it reduces their property value through zoning.

But most similarities end there.

Scarborough is running on his six-year record of serving the district, which includes the town of James Island, a chunk of the city of Charleston on James Island and Folly Beach. As a Republican, he said he has special access to some of the state’s most powerful figures and therefore a better ability to deliver.

“I think local needs, the constituent service, is the main focus,” he said.

Platt, a member and former chairman of the James Island Public Service District, said his main issue is stopping development, and he would like to see local governments get more power to freeze development. Platt said he would like to see a state policy to discourage people from relocating here.

“Charleston has become crowded,” he said, “and it seems the business leaders and the political leaders are trying to emulate Atlanta.”

Scarborough said he would support Gov. Mark Sanford’s efforts at reducing income tax and at providing more school choice, even some form of vouchers for students attending private schools.

“Our system is broken, quite frankly. We’re 49th in education,” he said. “We cannot continue doing the same thing we’ve been doing and expect to achieve something else.”

Platt doesn’t support Sanford’s tax plan, adding that the state tax system is a three-legged stool consisting of property, sales and income taxes.

“The leg that is not being used enough is income taxes,” he said. As for school choice, “It doesn’t make economic sense or moral sense to siphon off those badly needed dollars from public schools for private schools.”

Platt said he would like the state to pass legislation holding parents more accountable for the actions of their children in school.

The intrigue of the District 115 race lies not so much in the debate over the issues as in the personal aspects of the race.

“Character has emerged as a central issue this campaign, which it should be,” Platt said. “My opponent has helped make it an issue by his own conduct.”

Scarborough is going through a divorce and has been said to be having an affair with state Rep. Catherine Ceips, R-Beaufort, an allegation that he has not confirmed or denied.

He also was charged with assault with intent to kill this summer when he fired a pistol near utility workers in the backyard of his parents’ West Ashley home, though the charges were later dropped.

Scarborough said this has not been his most difficult campaign, “but it has been the most personal campaign I’ve ever had, simply because of the attacks against me.”

College of Charleston political science professor Bill Moore said Scarborough’s personal issues have made the election more competitive.

“Whether Eugene Platt can capitalize on that remains to be seen,” he said. “The key voters are going to be the women who normally vote Republican but might not in this case.”

Platt has dedicated his campaign to his late wife, Mary, who died of breast cancer in 2003.

He said he has felt under attack himself because of a mailing by South Carolinians for Responsible Government that said he “promotes deviant sexual behavior in erotic poetry collection,” namely in his 1999 compilation, “Summer Days with Daughter.”

Platt said many people have expressed outrage to him over that mailing.

Eugene Platt

Age: 67.
Family: Widowed (wife Mary died of breast cancer in 2003), two children, one grandchild.
Education: B.A., University of South Carolina; diploma in Anglo-Irish Literature, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
Occupation: Retired from federal Civil Service; writer; community activist.
Previous elected office: Elected member of James Island Public Service District Commission since 1993.
Why are you running for office: Although I have enjoyed serving the people while on the James Island PSD Commission, my personal situation has changed with the death of my wife. I now have the discretionary time, as well as the desire, to serve those same good people in the State House.
What’s the toughest issue facing your district: Excessive development.

Wallace Scarborough

Age: 47.
Family: Two sons.
Education: B.S., The Citadel.
Occupation: Executive vice president and corporate secretary for Atlantic Coast Life Insurance Co.
Previous elected office: State House (2001-present).
Why are you running for office: I believe the people of James Island and Folly Beach need a conservative voice.
What’s the toughest issue facing your district: Growth, which I’ve helped on the local level by backing the town of James Island; roads, which is a safety issue; and the environment, conserving what we’ve got.

Want to go?

State House District 115 candidates Wallace Scarborough and Eugene Platt are scheduled to take part in a candidates forum at 7 p. m. today in the James Island Charter High School auditorium.

The event also will include Charleston County Council District 9 candidates Paul Thurmond and George Tempel.

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.