A week out from the GOP primary, Republican candidates hoping to force a runoff with S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster have turned up the heat.
Mount Pleasant labor attorney Catherine Templeton on Tuesday launched a new campaign ad targeting Greenville businessman over his views on abortion and gun control.
The 30-second spot[1] is part of a six-figure ad buy, according to Templeton's campaign.
The ad comes after Warren recently launched a websitejabbing Templeton over her 2010 vote for the then-Democratic candidate for governor, state Sen. Vincent Sheheen; her 2015 comments critical of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump; and her two no-bid consulting contracts with state agencies.[2][3][4][5]
Polls show[6] Templeton and Warren, an Upstate lender and Marine Corps veteran, are neck and neck for second place to force the five-way race into a likely runoff against McMaster, the front-runner.
The ad claims that while on the campaign trail, Warren has made a point of discussing his exception for abortion. And that in a media interview Warren indicated he was open to more gun control laws. Warren's campaign argue those claims are false and misleading.
South Caroline Citizens for Life gave Warren a 100 percent pro-life rating in his response to a candidate survey. Warren also received an "AQ" rating from the National Rifle Association — the highest marks possible for a candidate without a voting record — for strongly supporting the Second Amendment.
"Being pro-life is personal for Catherine Templeton," campaign manager R. J. May III said in a statement. "There is no ethical justification for the intentional abortion of a child."
