SC voter voices: Why I like my 2016 GOP candidate

If you plan to cast a ballot in Saturday’s GOP presidential primary, who do you plan to vote for?

Here is what some S.C. GOP voters had to say about who they plan to vote for from the six remaining 2016 Republican presidential candidates. See videos of these voters, with this story online at thestate.com.

Jeb Bush

Name: LaMerle Kennerly

Hometown: Columbia

Occupation: Retired costume designer

Age: 89

Why are you supporting Bush? “I think he has good ideas. I liked his dad. I thought his dad was a good president. I thought his brother was a good president, and I think he’ll make a good president. He has the same values we have. Respect for people. Honor. Truthfulness. To me, he’s a gentleman who knows how to get things done. ... Jeb likes people. He’s got a marvelous personality.”

Ben Carson

Name: Bobby Day

Hometown: Easley

Occupation: Retired from Fluor Crop.

Age: 65

Why are you supporting Carson? “I’m basically voting my faith. He’s most in line with my religious beliefs and also my political beliefs. I think he’s going to use the Constitution as a basis to govern if he becomes president. I think Dr. Carson can bring a change to the presidency.”

Ted Cruz

Name: Truman Howell

Hometown: Simpsonville

Occupation: Retired probation officer

Age: 66

Why are you supporting Cruz? “I like his stance on the Constitution and his stance as a Christian. I like how he has gone to the courts on the Second Amendment and fought for the rights of Christians in this country.”

John Kasich

Name: Linda O’Connor

Hometown: Columbia

Occupation: Retired store owner

Age: 70

Why are you supporting Kasich? “He’s the candidate who’s been a governor and worked in Washington. When he was in Washington, he helped balance the budget, which I think is huge, and now that he’s governor of Ohio, he has been bringing (its) economy back, too. I think he has the qualities that you need for a president because he’s had the opportunity to experience both sides of government.”

Marco Rubio

Name: Caryl Gale

Hometown: Irmo

Occupation: Real estate agent

Age: Declined

Why are you supporting Rubio? “I think Senator Rubio is our best chance to win (against the Democrats). He’s a Christian person. I like his values. And I think he’s our best chance to turn everything around in our country. He’s very knowledgeable about everything.”

Donald Trump

Name: Richard Taylor

Hometown: Charleston

Occupation: Retired homebuilder

Age: 73

Why are you supporting Trump? “I’m going to vote for Donald Trump because he’s got the numbers and he’s electable. He’s honest and open. He’s a businessman and a capitalist and a entrepreneur, and we desperately need that.”

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 11:08 AM with the headline "SC voter voices: Why I like my 2016 GOP candidate."