Democratic candidate for governor Jim Rex may surprise some folks on the campaign trail when they learn that he is an avid hunter and outdoorsman who maintains a certain pride in his annual membership with the local National Wild Turkey Federation.

A gun-toting Democrat? Running for governor you say?

That’s exactly what Jim Rex will be saying to his fellow Democrats (and any moderate Republican or Independent who will listen) over the coming months – give me a chance.

Mr. Rex, along with his wife, Sue Rex, made an early morning stop in Edgefield on Saturday at Park Row Market for the monthly meeting of the Edgefield County Democratic Party. Mr. Rex explained his reasoning for entering the race and answered questions ranging from his stance on healthcare to his explanation of the danger of vouchers for education.

Most importantly, he stressed that the message Democrats would hear before the June primary would be the same message he would offer the rest of the state’s voters as the party’s nominee in the November election in 2010.

“Before the primary I’ll be speaking to mostly Democrats, but others will be listening,” Rex told the audience. “What I say during the primary will be what I say during the general lection. I’m not going to change my message.”

County Councilman Willie Bright says he likes what Rex brings to the table as a candidate.

“He’s a well-rounded man and I feel that he would make a great governor,” he said.

Of course, Rex never strays far from the topic of education after serving s the state’s top school official. He says if South Carolinians care about the education of their children and grandchildren they are going to have to stand and voice that concern.

“Public education is something that we’re really going to have to fight for here in South Carolina,” he said.

But can he win the race for governor?

Rex says he most certainly can.

“I’ve been the underdog before (in the race to become state superintendent of schools) and I’ve won. I know that we can do it again,” he said. “A Democrat can win in South Carolina, but we’re going to have to have the Independent voters and the undecided voters. That’s the reality.”