MCLEOD, FUNDERBURK, SHEHEEN BLAST NEWEST GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE

Columbia lobbyist Dwight Drake hadn’t even been in the race for next year’s Democratic gubernatorial primary for 24 hours before his party opponent began taking shots.

As if they were lions zeroing in on a kill, three Democrats — two of which are running against Drake for governor — released statements within quick succession of Drake’s Tuesday campaign announcement targeting his questionable lobbying record.

Gubernatorial rival Mullins McLeod offered the harshest criticism, saying, “With all due respect, a corporate lobbyist won’t change politics as usual in Columbia.”

South Carolina Rep. Laurie Funderburk followed McLeod’s lead in offering a hard-hitting assessment of Drake.

“He has built his career, in large part, by protecting the status quo for powerful special interests like big tobacco, nuclear waste, and payday lending,” Funderburk said. “Drake cannot allay legitimate concerns about his ability to fairly represent the best interests of the citizens of this state in any issues that involve his controversial clients.”

An individual with close ties to McLeod, also launched a website called “Who is Dwight Drake.” The site attacks drake for being “part of the problem” in South Carolina.

Sen. Vincent Sheheen, who is running for governor as a Democrat, didn’t address Drake by name in a statement on the primary. But Sheheen did take a few not-so-thinly-veiled shots at the lobbyist.

“In the South Carolina Senate, I have focused on fighting the special interests and insider politics that too often control our government in Columbia at the expense of the people,” said Sheheen. “Whether it be predatory lenders, big tobacco companies, or environmental polluters, I have been willing to stand up to them — and stand up FOR hard-working South Carolinians and our families.”

Anyone who thought the Democrat primary for governor was going to be boring, or easily decided, better think again.