REPUBLICAN STATE REP. WILL FINISH TERM, NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION

State Rep. Ted Pitts is ending his bid to become South Carolina’s next lieutenant governor after receiving word that he will be deployed to Afghanistan next year.

The Lexington Republican told friends and supporters Tuesday that his National Guard unit, the 178th Field Artillery, will be headed to the war-torn nation in January.

“The timing isn’t perfect for me, obviously,” Pitts told The State newspaper. “As much as I want to be lieutenant governor, a different call has been made.”

The four-term Representative said he will serve out the remainder of his term but will not seek re-election next year.

On his blog, Pitts’ colleague Nathan Ballentine commended him for his service.

“Like others in the House (James Smith and Jim Harrison, to name two), Ted will serve our state and country in larger ways while in office,” Ballentine wrote. “I knew Ted joined the National Guard after 9/11 but didn’t know he’d actually get the opportunity to fight the war on terror, overseas.”

Ballentine said Pitts will head to Fort Stewart, Ga. this weekend. He will be there through late November before coming back for a month. Pitts will deploy from Indiana.

Pitts’ departure leaves Florence County Councilman Ken Ard, Orangeburg attorney Bill Connor and Charleston State Rep. Tim Scott in a three-way Republican race for the lite guv post.