Gov. McMaster reaches out to Upstate evangelicals

Winning the Christian conservative vote in South Carolina’s Upstate will be critical in the 2018 GOP race for governor – a contest where the front-runners are S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster and Catherine Templeton.

With McMaster from the Midlands and Templeton from the Lowcountry, South Carolina’s Upstate – rich in evangelical voters – is in play.

Tuesday evening, McMaster touted his credentials as social conservative – highlighting his support for pro-life policies and prayer in public – during a stop at Bob Jones University.

While not an official campaign event for McMaster, the private Christian college is a frequent stop for Republicans looking to shore up their support among the Upstate’s social conservatives.

Last month, McMaster signaled to those voters he is with them, signing an executive order directing state agencies not to send payments to any physician or medical practice with ties to an abortion clinic.

The move gave McMaster something recent he could talk about “to highlight his pro-life stance,” said Clemson University political scientist Dave Woodard. “As to making a lot of difference to what happens in the state, I suspect it probably won’t.

“But it was a nice move before you make a speech in the Upstate.”

The executive order went over well with the audience at Bob Jones.

After highlighting what he sees as the state’s geographic and economic advantages, McMaster pivoted to his faith and the executive order. “We believe in protecting the old, the young, the unborn – we respect them all. It’s God’s will,” he said, winning a loud round of applause.

The governor wove his folksy observations of the Palmetto State – that he counted 83 churches between his home in Columbia and Pawleys Island, for example – into discussions of his faith, policy positions and advice for the students.

As S.C. attorney general, McMaster said he defended the town council of Great Falls for opening its meetings with prayer. McMaster said he told the council, “ ‘You go ahead and pray to Jesus if you want to, and we will defend you.’ ”

The town lost a legal challenge. But, McMaster said Tuesday, “One day, that kind of ruling is going to turn around.”

McMaster also received loud applause for saying he backed President Donald Trump’s stance on not allowing refugees into the United States from seven Middle Eastern countries.

Christina, a senior piano major who did not want her last name published, said McMaster’s speech made her proud to be a South Carolinian.

She said she strongly agrees with McMaster’s comments, especially about the Bible and his values. “I really appreciate where he’s coming from as a Christian and his support for biblical values.”

Pablo Rivera, a freshman from Illinois, said he agreed with everything McMaster said, including the governor’s opposition to abortion and his support of Trump.

McMaster and Templeton, a former Cabinet member under then-Gov. Nikki Haley, will face stiff competition for the support of the Upstate’s social conservatives in next June’s GOP primary.

Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant, R-Anderson, who is running as a social conservative, is expected to claim the Upstate as his base. Bryant’s ability to attract Upstate voters could make him an appealing pick for lieutenant governor for the eventual GOP nominee, looking to round out their ticket.

Former Lt. Gov. Yancey McGill of Williamsburg County also is seeking the GOP nomination.

Asked about his visit to Bob Jones on Tuesday and whether it had anything to do with Upstate voters, McMaster demurred.

“Everybody wants competition in the primaries except for the candidates. I love competition. ... In the position of governor, I go all over the state all the time. And I love it, and there’s nothing I’d rather do.”

This story was originally published September 5, 2017 at 4:07 PM with the headline "Gov. McMaster reaches out to Upstate evangelicals."