Edwards Campaign Announces New Round Of SC Endorsements

Campaign Hits Milestone of 75 Endorsements from South Carolina Elected and Party Officials; Officials from Georgetown to Sumter to Spartanburg Join Largest Endorsement List in Presidential Field

COLUMBIA, SC: With the announcement of a new round of endorsements from across the state, the Edwards for President campaign in South Carolina today reached a milestone of 75 endorsements from elected and party officials in South Carolina - by far the largest endorsement list of any of the Democratic presidential candidates.

"As the days until February 3rd grow fewer, our team of supporters in South Carolina continues to expand," said Edwards. "We have worked for many months to build this winning team - a team of which I am extremely proud - and I look forward to heading into the home stretch with such fine South Carolinians at my side."

The campaign announced the following new endorsements:

• Palmer Freeman, Former State Representative

"As a native son, John Edwards knows South Carolina and will remember where he's from," said Freeman. "Other candidates keep changing their tune, but Edwards grew up in the rural South and has remained true to what he learned early on."
• Jim Campbell, Sumter County Council

"Senator Edwards represents the vast majority of South Carolinians," said Campbell. "Indeed, Senator Edwards is a man of the people."
Following military service with the US Army's 101st Airborne Division, Campbell became an educator. He has taught at USC-Columbia, USC -Salkahatchie, been a visiting professor at Coastal Carolina in addition to teaching for Sumter School District Two, USC-Shaw, St. Leo's College, Clemson University at Sumter, and USC-Sumter. Campbell is currently the Vice Chairman of the Sumter County Council as well as a past Chairman.
• Kenny Waggoner, Dorchester County Council

"John Edwards understands the plight of rural Americans. Rural America is where he came from, and he won't forget that in the White House," said Waggoner, who represents a largely rural section of Dorchester County.
Waggoner has served as a council member since 1976 and has previously served three terms as chairman.
• Jim London, Pickens County Council Member, Pickens County Democratic Party Executive Committee Person

"John Edwards is an all-around winner," said London. "He’s good for the Party, good for the people of South Carolina and particularly good for the Upstate."
London is the only elected Democrat in Pickens County.
• Tommy Burton, Johnston City Council

"John Edwards is an average person concerned about working folks, and he is the only one who can beat George W. Bush."
A life-long resident of Edgefield County and a Democratic activist, Burton has been a city council member since 1996.
• Gloria Lance, Atlantic Beach Town Council

"South Carolina native John Edwards is just the candidate the people of our state and the nation need in the White House," said Lance. "Not only does he share our roots, he has real ideas for real change - the change we need to get our country back on track. As president, he will be for the people, of the people, and by the people of this proud American nation. I am pleased to join the Edwards for President campaign and look forward to a John Edwards victory in South Carolina on February 3rd."
Lance has served as a municipal official for the Town of Atlantic Beach since 1989.
• Albert Smith, Spartanburg County Democratic Party Chair

"Out of all the candidates running, John Edwards is the one who is the most connected to the people and the only candidate who understands that there are more voters on Main Street than on Wall Street," said Smith. "John Edwards is running a courageous campaign for the soul of the Democratic Party, and when he receives the nomination for president he will not forget us down here in South Carolina. We can count on that."
Smith’s endorsement comes on the heels of Edwards’ visit to Spartanburg last week.
• Marilyn Hemingway, Georgetown County Democratic Party Executive Committee Person

"John Edwards truly understands the economic struggles and transition we are experiencing here in Georgetown," Hemingway said. "He is a man of character and backbone with solutions to our problems. He’s not just talking the talk, he is walking the walk."
Hemingway has been active in Democratic politics from a young age and has served as the Executive Committee person in Georgetown since 2002.
• Maxie Duke, Oconee County Democratic Party Secretary

"John Edwards speaks for the little people, and I love his message," said Duke.
In addition to her current office, Duke, of Walhalla, is a former Chair of the Oconee County Democratic Party.
• Aleta Robinson, 2nd Vice Chair, Pickens County Democratic Party

"Not only is John Edwards a Southerner, he was born right nearby in Seneca," said Robinson. "John Edwards understands us. He is South Carolina's favorite son."
Robinson is a retired schoolteacher and a life-long resident of Pickens County.
• Mike Green, former Anderson County Judge

"Like John Edwards, I am the son of a mill worker and spent my summers working in the mill," said Green. "Because of my background, I have always been for small business and the working man. We all do well when the working man does well, and no one knows that better than John Edwards."
Green is a long-time Democratic activist. He served as Anderson County Judge from 1972-1977 and as Family Court Judge in 1978.