South Carolina Statehouse Blog

Today, Anton Gunn has officially filed as a candidate for re-election in South Carolina House District 79, which encompasses parts of Richland and Kershaw Counties.

Gunn took office in 2009 after winning an open seat previously held by long time incumbent Bill Cotty who retired in 2008.

“I’ve been in the Legislature for little more than a year, but that’s been long enough to see how badly our state needs strong leadership committed to accountability and the willingness to work across party lines to get things done for our state. The political parties and extremists aren’t ever pleased with my independence. It’s not my job to please them, it’s my job to do what’s right and what’s best for South Carolina.”

“I know more than ever that we need leaders who can use common sense and get things done in Columbia. I have brought new leadership and new ideas focused on creating jobs, helping our small businesses and improving our schools. I know how to get things done,” Gunn said.

Gunn will have opposition in 2010. A career political candidate who supports school vouchers and other extremist ideas is set to run against Gunn in the November election. Gunn’s opposition is waging a negative smear campaign and has already mailed dishonest campaign materials to voters in an effort to mislead them. Gunn says he will run a campaign on his record in the House and on the issues that matter to South Carolinians and he won’t focus on his opponents’ negative and divisive political rhetoric.

“In my short time running for office, I’ve learned that using negative and divisive tactics is not the way to get things done.”

“That’s not how we bring people together to move South Carolina forward.”

“We have to focus on the issues and improve the lives of the people in District 79 and all of South Carolina.”

“That’s how we make a real difference in our state. The people of South Carolina deserve an intelligent campaign on the issues and I have one of the strongest records in the South Carolina House when it comes to the issues that affect our community on a daily basis,” he said.