Making it official: Connor running for lt. governor
COLUMBIA – Standing on the steps of the Statehouse, Orangeburg native Bill Connor officially announced he is running for lieutenant governor in 2010.
Connor, a Republican, spoke of his vision of limited government and economic freedom to a crowd of supporters gathered on a chilly Tuesday morning.
The Afghanistan war veteran pledged to adopt free market solutions to solve economic problems, keep taxes low and encourage businesses to locate in the Palmetto State.
“I’m going to cut the growth of government and bring back our freedom,” he said.
Connor said he plans to work with the governor to examine the size of school districts. He believes enough money isn’t getting to classrooms because of the size of school district bureaucracies.
“Do we need that much in the way of oversight? Is that the most efficient use of our tax money? Probably not,” said Connor, who is the chairman of the Orangeburg Christian Academy board.
He wants to look at the number of superintendents in the state and, where possible, consolidate districts. Connor says that will save resources and eliminate teachers paying money out of their own pockets to supply their classrooms.
He also favors tax credits for parents who want to send their children to private school. However, Connor noted he received the majority of his schooling in public schools and vowed to support them.
Connor also wants to merge more agencies, including the lieutenant governor’s office, under the governor’s office.
Connor also discussed how he would oversee the state Department of Aging, a primary function of the lieutenant governor’s office. He wants to reach out to the private sector to improve services for senior citizens in the state.
He said his main reason for seeking the position is his concern over the growth of government. Connor says big government can’t save the ailing economy.
He said the soldiers he worked with in Afghanistan represent the hard-working values and ingenuity that define the nation. But he fears recent financial developments have put those traits in jeopardy.
“Since I’ve come home, I’ve seen something alarming. I’ve seen so many begin to look at government as the answer to all their problems. My friends, I’m here to tell you government is not the answer. Freedom is the answer,” Connor said.
He also referenced the lieutenant governor’s responsibility of presiding over the state Senate. Connor promised to work with Senate leaders to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Connor also said he’s qualified to be one heartbeat away from the governorship. He cited his experience as a military leader and his knowledge of the U.S. Constitution.
To get elected, Connor plans to travel across the state using a grassroots approach of knocking on doors and talking with voters individually.
Connor volunteered to serve in the South Carolina National Guard’s 218th Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan in January 2007. There he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and was a senior U.S. adviser to Afghan security forces in the volatile Helmand province.
When he returned home in the summer of 2008, he penned the book “Articles of War,” which included articles written for The T&D. He donated profits to Orangeburg Christian Academy.
A graduate of The Citadel and the University of South Carolina School of Law, Connor served 11 years in the U.S. Army as a Ranger company commander and light infantry company commander.
He is an attorney with Murphy-Grantland Law Firm in Columbia. He and his wife, Susan, have three children, Peyton, Brenna and Will.
T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060.
