South Carolina: Pro-Life Candidate Haley Leads Sheheen

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Oct 23, 2010   |   4:48PM   |   Columbia, SC

Nikki Haley, the pro-life candidate for governor in South Carolina, continues to lead her Democratic rival Vincent Sheheen. However, her support has fallen to the lowest level of the year and Haley, for the first time, posts only a single-digit lead.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in South Carolina finds Haley, a state legislator, earning 47% support, while Sheheen picks up 38% of the vote.

Another 4 percent like another candidate in the race, and a sizable 11% remain undecided less than two weeks before Election Day.

The relative closeness of the race prompted Rasmussen to shift the race from a solid GOP hold to one that leans towards Haley winning.

“A month ago, Haley had a 50% to 33% lead over Sheheen. Haley’s held double-digit leads in surveys since June with support ranging from 49% to 55%. Sheheen in those same surveys has captured 34% to 40% of the vote,” the polling firm said. “The survey was taken the night the candidates held the first of three scheduled debates.”

Earlier this month, South Carolina Citizens for Life state political action committee, LIFEPAC, issued an endorsement for Haley.

Haley submitted a 100 percent pro-life survey to South Carolina Citizens for Life and the statewide group says she “has a strong voting record on pro-life issues during her service in the S.C. House of Representatives.”

“As Governor, her support will be needed to reverse the pro-abortion and rationing effects of the Obama health care legislation,” the organization told LifeNews.com.

Haley’s campaign web site specifically mentions right-to-life issues and her opposition to the Obama health care reform bill that contains abortion funding pro-life groups have already had to stop in three states. [related]

LIFEPAC Chairman Joe Rumler said, “We look forward to working with Nikki Haley to restore legal protection for innocent life — pre-born children and the medically fragile and dependent members of our human family whose lives are threatened by abortion and euthanasia.”

The winner will replace pro-life Governor Mark Sanford, who has pleased pro-life groups by supporting and signing pro-life legislation but found himself in a tenuous situation after an affair scandal erupted.