Mike Sturkie, S.C. Senate District 23

10 a.m. -- Michael Sturkie is one of two challengers going up against Jake Knotts in the Republican primary for this Lexington County seat. Mr. Sturkie has lived in the district 26 years, and owns two businesses, S & T Grading and Excavating, and S&T Landfill.

He says he thinks the people of the district want more focus on "major issues," rather than what he says is an overemphasis on "good ol' boy issues." I asked him for a definition of the latter (since a lot of folks use it, sometimes meaning different things), and he meant "favoritism" in appointments and such. Beyond that, he said of Mr. Knotts, "It seems like he's picking fights" all the time, whereas Mr. Sturkie said he would present a lower profile: "I can take a back seat."

He suggests he would never vote otherwise than in accordance with the wishes of his district, whatever the facts, and believes more issues should be settled by referendum rather than through representative government. He wants to do away with property taxes altogether, and pay for everything with an even higher sales tax. He said he's "not looking to pad my pension," and would want to "fix" the overgenerous deal afforded lawmakers. Of teachers, he said "they're getting paid a lot less than they deserve.