This campaign started a long time ago. It’s been a long road and a tall hill. We’ve been counted out more than a few times. That happen in campaigns. You even get used to it. But yesterday took the cake: I read two stories on our race previewing the final 24 hours. One said there wouldn’t be a runoff. The other says there was gonna be a runoff alright. Just without me in it.

Well… as my Citadel baseball Coach used to say…. “That’s why we play the game!” So put me in coach! Thanks to you, we beat the odds, we defied the experts, we made the run-off and now we’ve got two weeks to work hard, finish strong, and make history!!!

So to begin with, I want to say thank you to the thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters who put their faith and trust in our vision for South Carolina. I cannot tell you how much each one of you means to me and how humbled I am by the outpouring of support we’ve received. This late burst of momentum has been especially heartening and bodes well for the days ahead.

I’d also like to thank my family.

Campaigns are never easy on the people you love. You’re rarely home. When you are there, you’re exhausted. But Natalie, Jeb, Madison and Ross, you guys have been amazing and I love you each so very much. Even when ya'll do hog the remote control or leave empty milk jugs in the fridge. But thank you for being there for me. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for keeping me grounded. Thank you for your patience, And most of all, for your love

This election is about big things.

South Carolina is facing serious challenges, one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, a Republican state government perpetually gridlocked in gripe gossip and infighting. It’s not only embarrassing its unconscionable.

We must do better.

We have an historic opportunity to move South Carolina forward, to create high paying jobs for this generation and the next, to fundamentally restructure government and create a tax code designed to build the South’s strongest economy…

In this election we share a lot of the same goals. The question is how do we achieve them? For too long in Columbia there has been one way. The House blames the Senate, the senate blames the house, and then they both blame the governor, and vice versa. It’s a not so very merry go round state government carousel. And we need to stop it. Start over. Get off this debilitating spin cycle and deliver a new style leadership. One that brings people together through the power of ideas. But not just to debate them, but decide them..

We’ve talked a lot on this campaign about jobs – and if I’ve learned anything the past few months, it’s that people are looking for someone they can trust to lead an economic turnaround in this state. Someone with ideas – and the leadership to turn ideas into action.

Throughout the course of this race, I’ve laid out comprehensive plans to create jobs, crack down on illegal immigration, fix our failing schools and make our state a leader in energy independence.

And in my years of public service, I’ve demonstrated my ability to get things done – to roll up my sleeves and work toward common sense, conservative solutions. And I come by it honestly.

Growing up in the small town of Westminster, SC, I learned more in 4 square miles over 18 years then most people learn traveling the globe for a lifetime. It’s here that my dad taught me something very important. He said “Son, character isn’t one of the things that matters. It is the only thing that matters.” I promise you this: As your governor I will live by that principle every single day with honest, conservative leadership.

Whether it was serving as a Field Artillery Captain in the U.S. Army, running my family’s main street furniture store or representing the people of South Carolina, I have always tried to lead by example – to lead with the character and convictions that make me who I am.

These next two weeks, we are going to take our vision of putting South Carolina back to work directly to the voters. And at its core, that vision is about strong leadership, strong principles and strong character. Values rooted in my deep beliefs. And values that are the building blocks of what I hope will be a strong, successful Gubernatorial administration.

I believe in God, and through Him all things are possible.

I believe above all else in the right to life and I believe that we as leaders must do everything we can to protect it.

I believe innovation, not taxation, is the solution to our nation’s energy challenge and that South Carolina can and should be a leader in energy independence

I believe in the 2nd Amendment, the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this great state. I believe in spending the tax dollars, YOUR tax dollars, wisely.

I believe health care decisions are best left up to you and your doctor, not some bureaucrat sitting behind a desk in Washington, DC.

I believe in hard work, individual freedom, devotion to family, and service to country. And I believe together, we can take South Carolina somewhere she’s never been before.
Somewhere where our children graduate to take jobs in Greenville or Charleston rather than Charlotte or Atlanta; Where opportunity is down the street, not across the country; Where small business people and entrepreneurs are the real engines of job creation – not government; And where South Carolinians have a leader who they trust and will make them proud.

Thank you.

God bless you and may God bless South Carolina.