“Before I say anything else I called to congratulate Nikki Haley and offer her my full support. I told her that I was ready to help her win this November. And that I would be encouraging my supporters to do the same.
“I’m committed to working day and night to elect Republicans in South Carolina who will go to Columbia and shake things up. And that starts by electing Nikki Haley as our next governor.
“We may have some differences but let there be no doubt where we don’t: we need strong conservative Republican leadership in Columbia that will cut taxes, reform spending, create jobs, and get this economy going again!
“It might not have been a close race. But it was a good race for South Carolina. It was an honest conversation about the future of this state and the conservative reforms we need for this generation and the next to prosper.
“You know, you can always count on your kids to keep things in perspective.
Before we came out tonight my son Ross said took a look at the results coming in. Pulled me aside and said, ‘Look on the bright side Dad- I think you’re gonna keep it within double digits…’
“But look. Campaigns are bigger than the returns. Bigger than parties. Bigger even the candidates. People get involved in these things for a lot of different reasons.
For me, it was always simple: I love my family. I love my state. And I love my country too much to stand on the sidelines.
“I wish my mom and dad were here to see this. My mom helped mold my heart and I miss her so much. My dad helped mold my character. I use his advice and wisdom everyday.
“Dad used to have a saying, ‘Character isn’t one of the things that matters. It’s the only one that matters.’
And I believe that with all my heart. He raised us every minute of every day to honor duty. Service. And sacrifice.
“That’s why I joined the army after I attended the Citadel. That’s why I left it – years later to come home and run the family business. And that’s why I got into this race for Governor to begin with.
“And even now –I really think it says something about the greatness of South Carolina –that almost anything here is possible.
“That you can go from the a little boy running the coal bucket in a small town family hardware store – to a man running for governor of the single greatest state in this nation.
From the start of this race I talked about my plan to put South Carolina back to work. To create jobs. Cap spending. Disinfect the power of special interests with true transparency. And my vision to transform and downsize a government that badly needs it.
“It doesn’t happen often in South Carolina, but we ran a positive campaign based on the issues.
“South Carolina has been through a lot this past year or two… and the last thing I thought it needed was more political infighting and drama.
“I’m proud to say I’m about the only candidate who never ran a negative ad attacking an opponent.
“So I’m proud of the campaign we ran and I hope all of you are too.
“I’m proud I offered up real ideas. Real reforms. And got people talking about jobs.
I’m proud that when I disagreed with my opponents, I did it in a way that wasn’t disagreeable.
“And I’m proud that even on the tough issues, I always shot you straight.
“Right or wrong, when I took a position or vote people didn’t like, I was honest about why. And I think that’s more important today than it’s ever been. Because leaders of both parties have let us down. And that’s what will keep happening if we don’t learn to have the courage of our convictions.
“Finally, I need to say thank you to all the people who made it possible for a small-town boy from Westminster, South Carolina to serve in the state house, to go to congress and come home and run for governor.”
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