"While I withdraw from this race for Governor, I will not withdraw from my commitment to our state."

Columbia attorney Dwight Drake released the following statement regarding his gubernatorial campaign:

"Today I am announcing that I am withdrawing from the campaign for South Carolina Governor.

"I got into this race because I believed that South Carolina's families deserved much more than they were getting from their Governor.  We are facing the toughest times in a generation, and we can only take that on with dedicated, experienced leadership that is focused on putting our people back to work and building a better future for our kids.  I have ambitious ideas for getting our state back on track, and I have the knowledge and experience to put those ideas into action.

"But a statewide campaign for office is not just about these things.  It also requires resources - campaign dollars to run in a competitive primary and in a competitive general election.

"I am deeply grateful for - and humbled by - the support I have received from my fellow South Carolinians in the seven months since I began my campaign.  As I have put pen to paper in recent days, it's become clear to me that I am not going to be able to marshal the resources needed to run the competitive, substantive campaign that I set out to run.

"I have spent most of my life working to make South Carolina a better place to live, work, and raise a family, and I have done that without ever holding elective office.  So, while I withdraw from this race for Governor, I will not withdraw from my commitment to our state.  

"I have been blessed and honored by my experience in this campaign - most especially by the good, hard-working people all over our state that I have met and talked with.  Now is the time when South Carolina needs its strongest leaders, both inside and outside of government, to do the hard work of rebuilding our economy and setting things right.  I intend to do just that."

Columbia attorney and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dwight Drake released the following statement regarding the announcement by Mullins McLeod that he would withdraw his candidacy for South Carolina Governor:

"Mullins was a worthy opponent and brought a needed outside perspective to this race.  With his departure, I am now the only candidate from either party who works in the private sector.  
 
"The choice in this election is now even more clear.  While my other opponents have spent time ignoring the state's mounting fiscal problems and our rising unemployment, I have a proven record of getting things done and creating jobs.  I am looking forward to continuing to talk with South Carolinians about my jobs plan and how, as Governor, I plan to get our state working again."

Dwight Drake, Democratic candidate for Governor, today announced that Senator John Land, (D-Clarendon), Senator John Matthews (D-Orangeburg), and Senator Robert Ford (D-Charleston) have introduced S. 1176, the Back to Work Tax Rebate Act, in the South Carolina Senate.

The legislation is based on a job creation proposal rolled out by Drake during a press conference at the Capitol last week.  S. 1176 is a companion bill to H. 4528, previously introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Bakari Sellers (D-Bamberg) and Rep. Boyd Brown (D-Fairfield).  It provides for an immediate tax rebate for any employer who hires someone who has been receiving unemployment compensation for at least 60 days.

Senator Land, lead author of the Senate bill said, "This proposal is one idea that we can pass now and immediately give employers an incentive to hire someone now. Since the tax rebate begins immediately when a person is hired, the employer does not have to wait till year to get a credit."

Under the Back to Work Tax Rebate Act , any South Carolina employer who hires a worker who has been on state unemployment rolls for 60 days or more will receive a one-year rebate equal to the amount of state income tax that would be paid on the employee's salary.  Employers will collect the rebate by simply retaining the amount each quarter that would otherwise have been sent to the Department of Revenue for the employee.  

The rebate is simple, providing a clear and easy-to-administer tax benefit for businesses creating jobs and hiring new workers.

It is immediate, allowing businesses to begin benefiting as soon as they hire new employees.

And it is revenue-neutral, bringing South Carolinians off state unemployment assistance and only rebating income taxes that would not have been collected anyway as long as the workers remained unemployed.

In fact, the Back to Work Tax Rebate Act may be a net gain to the state treasury, as each person who comes off the state's unemployment rolls means an immediate average savings of $253 per week to the Employment Security Commission.  This figure does not include savings on the interest that South Carolina would have to pay on unemployment benefits since the unemployment trust fund is currently bankrupt, an issue Drake has blamed on poor leadership and lack of oversight in the Statehouse. 

Drake called on other members of the Senate to sign on as sponsors of the bill.  

"I appreciate Senators Land, Matthews, and Ford introducing this bill," said Drake.  "I am especially grateful to Senator Ford for his sponsorship as we are both running for the Democratic nomination for Governor.  Senator Ford understands that the economic future of South Carolina is more important than electoral politics.  I would call on other candidates for Governor and other offices to put aside petty political considerations and join in supporting this bill as well, since getting the citizens of South Carolina back to work should be our number one priority."

Pragmatic Plan Will Help Workers, Small Businesses, and Teachers

Columbia - Columbia attorney and Democratic candidate for Governor Dwight Drake released the following statement today, outlining his plan for a 50-cent per pack increase in South Carolina's cigarette tax, with the proceeds directed toward assisting employers in hiring people receiving unemployment compensation with no health care coverage, keeping teachers in the classroom, and providing a long term revenue stream for a 3 to 1 Federal Medicaid match.

"There has been a lot of heat but not a lot of light about a cigarette tax increase. Henry McMaster opposes any increase to South Carolina's lowest in the nation cigarette tax. Jim Rex proposes a $1.30 cent per pack increase. Each proposal has two things in common: both are purely for campaign posturing, and both will accomplish exactly nothing. Henry's proposal is intended to do nothing. Jim's proposal would result in doing nothing because it can't pass nor survive Mark Sanford's promised veto."

"When we have such great and immediate needs - high unemployment, absence of health care coverage by some 17% of our people and the possibility that we will not be able to pay our school teachers this year - we need a common sense approach that is doable and can be effective now."

Drake's proposal includes:

The proposal will assist people in getting jobs and in getting health care coverage. This will reduce the strain on the Employment Compensation Trust Fund, which is insolvent and owes a debt to the Federal government that will be more than $1.2 billion dollars by year end.

In addition, the Drake proposal would use the remaining $65 million in this year's budget to keep more teachers in the classroom for the coming year.

"For the first time in my lifetime," said Drake, "we have fewer teachers in the classroom this year than we did last year. This funding will address this critical problem now."

Beginning next year and for succeeding years, the  $65 million used in the 2011 budget for teacher pay would thereafter and annually be used to match Federal Medicaid funds, which generally yield a 3 to 1 match.

Drake continues, "I have said repeatedly that the creation of jobs and the education of our children are my twin priorities. In our current economic conditions, nothing is more important."

"This plan directly gives employers an incentive to hire people from the unemployment rolls who have no health care coverage. It directly addresses keeping teachers in the classroom. And it provides a means for health care coverage for people who now have neither a job nor health care. In succeeding years, the plan provides funding to match federal Medicaid dollars at a 3 to 1 match. Most importantly, this plan is realistic and can become law this year."

"This plan doesn't fit on a bumper sticker as well as saying "No new tobacco tax". It doesn't have the headline value of a proposal that says "Raise it a dollar".  It does have the virtue of being a realistic plan that can begin immediately to bring jobs with health care to our people, to help our beleaguered teachers, and provide a long term funding stream for Medicaid."

"My number one priority is getting South Carolina working again. That takes leadership that knows how to get things done. I leave the show-boating to others. I am offering a common sense plan that can and should be done for the families of our state."

Immediate, Revenue-Neutral Plan to Spur Job Growth in South Carolina

COLUMBIA - At a State Capitol press conference today, Democratic candidate for Governor Dwight Drake unveiled a new legislative policy proposal to spur hiring and bring down unemployment in South Carolina.  

The proposal, called the Back to Work Rebate Act, creates a simple, direct incentive for employers to hire South Carolinians who are out of work and receiving state unemployment assistance, by providing an immediate tax rebate to the employer.  

Under the Back to Work Rebate Act, any South Carolina employer who hires a worker who has been on state unemployment rolls for 60 days or more will receive a one-year rebate equal to the amount of state income tax that would be paid on the employee's salary.  Employers will collect the rebate by simply retaining the amount each quarter that would otherwise have been sent to the Department of Revenue for the employee.  

The rebate is simple, providing a clear and easy-to-administer tax benefit for businesses creating jobs and hiring new workers.

It is immediate, allowing businesses to begin benefiting as soon as they hire new employees.

And it is revenue-neutral, bringing South Carolinians off state unemployment assistance and only rebating income taxes that would not have been collected anyway as long as the workers remained unemployed.

Drake was joined at the press conference by state Representatives Boyd Brown (D-Fairfield) and Bakari Sellers (D-Bamberg), who intend to introduce Drake's proposal as a bill in the legislature when the House returns to session on February 16th.

"We cannot afford to wait any longer to start fixing the problem of unemployment in this state," said Drake.  "We must tackle the problems of this state head on and not wait around for committees or studies.  With some 270,000 men and women out of work, families across South Carolina are suffering. We need less talk and more results."

"When Dwight Drake came to me with this idea, I knew we could use it to do immediate good for the people of South Carolina," said Representative Brown.  "I'm proud to be getting to work with Dwight on it right away, and I know it's one more sign of the get-it-done, jobs-first governor Dwight will be for our state."

 "After years of failed leadership from our current Governor and a skyrocketing unemployment rate, the families of this state deserve better," said Representative Sellers.  "Dwight's plan is simple, effective, and fiscally responsible - exactly the kind of leadership we need.  I'm looking forward to joining him in getting this done."

Drake, who has served as a senior aide under two South Carolina Governors and has played a leadership role in attracting and fostering South Carolina business successes such as BMW and Boeing, released his comprehensive jobs plan earlier this year.  The plan can be read and downloaded at http://www.dwightdrake.com/jobs.  It includes targeted tax policies to grow jobs, and the Back to Work Tax Rebate Act fits squarely into that mission.

"As Governor, jobs will be my number-one priority, but this state can't wait another year for action.  So with the help of Representatives Brown and Sellers, we're going to get started on putting South Carolina back to work right away. We call on all Members of the General Assembly - Democrats and Republicans - to join Rep. Brown and Rep. Sellers in supporting this legislation. The sooner it is passed, the sooner we can start creating news jobs in South Carolina."

COLUMBIA - Dwight Drake, attorney and Democratic candidate for Governor, will hold a press conference TODAY at NOON to unveil a new legislative policy proposal to spur hiring and bring down unemployment in South Carolina.  Drake will be joined by state Representatives Boyd Brown and Bakari Sellers, who intend to offer Drake's proposal as a bill in the legislature.

"With unemployment at record levels and families across South Carolina suffering as a result, we need less talk and more results," said Drake.  "As Governor, jobs will be my number-one priority, but this state can't wait another year for action.  So with the help of Representatives Brown and Sellers, we're going to get started on putting South Carolina back to work right away."

Drake will discuss his proposal in more detail at today's press conference.  Details are below.

WHO:    Dwight Drake, Democratic Candidate for Governor
             Representative Boyd Brown (D-Fairfield)
             Representative Bakari Sellers (D-Bamberg)

WHAT: Press Conference to Unveil New Job Creation Proposal

WHEN: TODAY, February 4, at Noon

WHERE: Upper Lobby of the South Carolina Statehouse

"The Challenges We Face Demand That We Have a Governor Who Needs No On-the-Job Training"

Long-time Columbia Mayor Bob Coble today announced his endorsement of Dwight Drake for Governor of South Carolina, citing Drake's experience, vision, and plan to bring jobs to South Carolina.

"Today I am happy to announce my support and endorsement of Dwight Drake, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor," said Mayor Coble.  "Over the years, our careers in public service have intersected many, many times. I have worked with him on advancing key state issues like improving public education and implementing strategies for job creation.

"I know that Dwight has a passion for service and a sincere desire to provide the leadership to ensure that our children are provided the first-quality education necessary for the jobs of the future. His commitment to education and willingness to fight for students was shown in his representing Casey Edwards and Justin Williams in the lawsuit that resulted in the order directing Mark Sanford to accept federal stimulus funds, keeping hundreds of teachers in the classroom.

"Through his representation of BMW and other companies, Dwight clearly knows what a Governor needs to do to bring jobs to South Carolina. He has laid out a ten-point plan to begin the efforts a Governor must initiate to get South Carolina working again.

"As a resident of Columbia for forty years, Dwight understands the challenges facing the midlands, and his experience working for Governors John West and Dick Riley makes Dwight the only candidate who can do the job of Governor from Day One. The challenges we face demand that we have a Governor who needs no on-the-job training, and I am proud to endorse and support Dwight Drake as that candidate."

Drake, who has served as a senior aide under two South Carolina Governors and has played a leadership role in attracting and fostering South Carolina business successes such as BMW and Boeing, released his comprehensive jobs plan earlier this year.  The plan can be read and downloaded at http://www.dwightdrake.com/jobs.

"I am honored and grateful to have Mayor Coble's endorsement and support," said Drake. "You only have to look down Main Street from the State House and see the Meridian Building, the First Citizens Building, and continued new construction to understand the success of Mayor Coble. The Convention Center, EdVenture, and many other projects have added life to Columbia as a result of Bob's leadership. In the face of economic setbacks, Mayor Coble has created jobs for this city and added educational opportunities for its children.

"I look forward to the insight and experience he can bring to bear on my campaign and my governorship."

Columbia, SC - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dwight Drake released the following statement regarding last night's Republican gubernatorial debate in which all four candidates praised the failed governorship of Mark Sanford:
 
"Any South Carolinian who wonders if the Republican candidates for Governor understand what they're going through got a very clear answer last night - and that answer was 'No.'
 
"You simply cannot look at Mark Sanford's record of failed leadership, skyrocketing unemployment, and national embarrassment and say that his governorship was good for our state.
 
"Anyone who believes that isn't going to make the very real changes we have to make to get South Carolina back to work.  Anyone who believes that doesn't deserve to lead this state.
 
"I am running for Governor, because South Carolina needs leadership that understands the problems we're facing and has a real plan to get the state back on track.
 
"All four of the Republican candidates last night proved that they just don't get it, and that's why we need change."

Drake has published a detailed economic plan to bring jobs to South Carolina that can be accessed at http://dwightdrake.com/jobs.

Columbia, SC -- Dwight Drake released the following statement regarding Lt. Governor Andre Bauer's recent comments likening children who receive free and reduced lunch to "stray animals":

"I condemn Bauer's attack on hungry children because their parents don't have a job.  During his time as Lt. Governor, the state's unemployment has doubled and is now one of the highest in the nation.  This is no time to attack children to pick up a few votes."

Drake represented BMW in locating in South Carolina that resulted in 15,000 jobs. He also brought the lawsuit against Sanford that kept hundreds of teachers in the classroom and saved hundreds more jobs for  law enforcement officers and other employees. Drake's economic plan can be accessed here:  http://dwightdrake.com/jobs

Columbia, SC -- Today, the South Carolina State Employment Security Commission announced that the state’s unemployment rate jumped to an all-time high of 12.6% in December, beating the previous record established just the month before, in November.

Attorney and gubernatorial candidate, Dwight Drake, commented that, once again, it’s another  painful example of Governor Sanford’s lack of focus on creating jobs for the past seven years.  

Dwight Drake, in commenting on the new numbers blamed Mark Sanford’s abysmal record as governor:  “Governor Sanford in his State-of-the-State apologized to the people of South Carolina for abandoning his post, but he should have apologized to the hundreds of thousands who have lost their jobs because he has neglected his job for last 8 years while positioning himself for national office or running off to Argentina.  The only job Sanford has been interested in is saving  his own job -  while more than 270,000 are out of work. Sanford says he is sorry.   I agree : He’s a sorry excuse for Governor.”

Drake reiterated his pledge to be the jobs governor and “wake up in the morning thinking about how to create jobs for the people of South Carolina and to go to asleep thinking about how to create jobs for the people of the state.”

Drake represented BMW in locating in South Carolina that resulted in 15,000 jobs. He also brought the lawsuit against Sanford that kept hundreds of teachers in the classroom and saved hundreds more jobs for  law enforcement officers and other employees. Drake’s economic plan can be accessed here:  http://dwightdrake.com/jobs