Jim Demint

jimdemint.com

Mike Ruckes 

mikeruckes2010.com

Health Care

Wants a more free market approach in order to fix health care by allowing insurance companies to operate across state lines and making citizens pay and be responsible for their health care more directly. 

Health Care

Supports a public option for health care in which the government would offer an alternative to private sector health insurance plans in order to help cover every American.

Budget & Economy 

“History has shown the best way to grow the economy and create jobs: limit the size of government, cut taxes, and give businesses the opportunity to compete on a level playing field.” 

Budget & Economy

 Supports a $1,000 tax credit for working families and the elimination of taxes for seniors making less than $50,000 and higher taxes for people making more than $250,000 a year. Does not think that all levels of the government must operate within a balanced budget.

Education

Thinks that Creationism should be taught alongside Evolution. Wants states to decide how to spend federal money for education in order to allow states to be more creative with school choices (such as charter schools).

Education

Does not think that Creationism should be taught alongside Evolution. Supports a plan with an “emphasis at early care and education for infants,” in order to help children get ready for kindergarten.

2^nd Amendment Rights

Strongly against heavy government regulation of firearms. Given an “A” by the NRA. 

2^nd Amendment Rights

Supports the idea of a conceal-carry firearm permit and believes it is a constitutional right for all law abiding citizens to own a firearm but does not think that adults 21 and over should be allowed to carry firearms on school property. 

Abortion

Pro-Life, given a 100% rating by the National Right to Life Committee. 

Abortion

Pro-Choice, does not believe life begins at conception and supports using government money to help fund abortions for people who cannot afford it. 

Bio

Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Demint received degrees from the University of Tennessee and Clemson and started his own market research company in 1983. After helping to elect SC representative Bob Inglis for 6 years, he ran for congress himself.  He is now one of the 2 U.S. senators for South Carolina and still lives in Greenville. He has also been ranked as the senate’s most conservative member by National Journal. 

Bio

 Born in Detriot, Michigan, Ruckes worked for 33 years in the auto industry where he was a member of the UAW (an auto workers union).  When he retired, he moved to Summerville, SC and became involved in the Democrat Party and the election of Barack Obama in 2008. He has been endorsed by the South Carolina Progressive Democrats of America.