Ard focuses on economic development in lieutenant governor bid

FLORENCE — Florence County Councilman Ken Ard has announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor with a focus on economic development in South Carolina.

“I have a simple philosophy — and you’ll hear me say this over and over again — there is nothing wrong with South Carolina that more and better jobs can’t fix, and I believe that with all my heart,” Ard said Friday at the Redbone Alley restaurant, where he made his announcement.

Ard, 45, represents county council’s District 2, which includes the Pamplico, Hannah, Johnsonville and Evergreen areas. He acknowledges that he’s making a big jump.

“I’m not the least bit intimidated,” he said after his speech.

Ard said he thinks he’s built credibility in Florence County and plans to do the same statewide.

“I will get in my truck and travel this state and convince people that I am the most qualified candidate for lieutenant governor,” he said.

Francis Marion University political science professor Neal Thigpen, who introduced Ard on Friday, described the councilman as a fiscal conservative who’s “young and energetic” and a “tremendous vote-getter.”

He also said Ard is a successful businessman with “great empathy for working-class people” and the problems they face in this state.

After his announcement, Ard said he thinks government is inefficient, but working to “intertwine” business principles could alleviate that.

“I know what it’s like to wake up every day and run a company, to meet a payroll and deal with excessive government regulations and taxes,” he said during his speech.

Ard said the lieutenant governor’s role is to preside over the Senate, but he wants to bring a new focus on economic improvement and increased jobs.

He said he applauds the work Lt. Gov. André Bauer has done on behalf of senior citizens.

Although he could run his county council campaign “from a lounge chair,” he said, the upcoming campaign will be a “totally different animal” that requires a great deal of support and teamwork.

A candidate can’t win a statewide race without raising a great deal of money, he said.

“If I had enough money to do this myself, I wouldn’t ask anyone,” he said. “But I don’t.”

State Rep. Ted Pitts, R-Lexington, and Orangeburg attorney Bill Connor have also announced they will run for lieutenant governor.

Ard was elected to council in 2004, when he defeated incumbent Democrat Tom Smith of Pamplico. He was re-elected last year, when he had no opposition.

Last month, he also was elected chairman of the Florence County Republican Party, but he stepped down Thursday night, just before announcing his lieutenant governor bid.

The county party’s executive committee will meet in about two weeks to elect a new chairperson, committee member Brad Richardson said.

Ard also was scheduled to announce his candidacy at 4:30 p.m. Friday on the steps of the Statehouse, in Columbia, before the state Republican convention this weekend.