More S.C. Leaders Stepping Forward to Back Romney

On Tuesday, more leaders in South Carolina stepped forward in support of GOP presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney.

A new poll from Monmouth University shows Romney with an 11-point lead on his nearest competition, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

 And now, Romney is adding key business leaders, elected officials, veterans, and conservative activists to his of growing supporters.

On the list today include notable names such as former Secretary of Commercie Bob Faith, Spartanburg businessman George Dean Johnson, Jr., and Greenville County Council Chair and Retired Brigadier General Butch Kirven. 

“The wide range of support from conservatives across South Carolina proves that my message of a ‘Simpler, Smaller, and Smarter’ federal government is resonating with voters concerned about the direction of our country,” said Mitt Romney. “I’m happy to earn their endorsement and look forward to working with them for the vote of every South Carolinian.”

Faith said that South Carolina voters have an important choice to make regarding the future of the country.

"We need a conservative candidate who will defeat President Obama and reverse his failed policies," Faith said in a release from the campaign. "That man is Mitt Romney. He is committed to getting rid of failed government programs like Obamacare. He is against government entities like the NLRB interfering with free enterprises like Boeing who want to invest in South Carolina and create jobs for South Carolinians.  He is for restoring conservative principles to government, so that Washington will stop spending and start letting this country's entrepreneurs and business leaders get back to creating jobs.”

Kirven said that Romney is the best choice to lead the country through "challenging economic times." Kirven said Romney can restore limited government to Washington, cut spending, grow the economy and get the nation back on track.

“I was looking for someone who reflects my values, is strong on national defense, and knows how to get the economy going again," Kirven said.

The list of new supporters includes:

Upstate

State Representative Don Bowen, Anderson

Greenville County Councilman Joe Dill

Greenville City Councilwoman Amy Ryberg Doyle

George Dean Johnson, Jr., Chairman, Johnson Development Associates, Spartanburg

Greenville County Council Chairman Butch Kirven

State Representative Phil Owens, Easley

Rick Pennell, Metromont Corporation, Greenville

Specialist John Snyder, U.S. Army, Ret., Greenville

Greenville Mayor Pro Tempore David Sudduth

Midlands

John H. Burriss, Owner of Gold's Gyms of Columbia

Former York County GOP Chairman Henry Eldridge, Rock Hill

Richard J. Gaton, Columbia

Richard Jackson, CEO, C.R. Jackson, Inc., Columbia

Leighton Lord, Former Chairman, Nexsen Pruet, Columbia

State Representative Ralph Norman, Rock Hill

Former York County GOP Executive Committeewoman Karen Walto, Rock Hill

Coastal

Sally and Richard Coen, Mount Pleasant

Former South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon, Charleston

Former South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Robert A. Faith, Chairman & CEO, Greystar Real Estate Partners, Charleston

Rear Admiral, James Flatley, U.S. Navy, Ret., Charleston

William B. Hewitt, Retired Executive, Charleston

Former Bluffton Mayor Hank Johnston

Former South Carolina Secretary of Transportation Buck Limehouse, Charleston

Brigadier General Cliff Poole, U.S. Army, Ret., Charleston

Bill Prezzano, Charleston

Charleston County Treasurer Andy Smith

Jonathan Zucker, President, The InterTech Group, Charleston