Harrell opponent discusses political reform

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Suspended State House Speaker Bobby Harrell’s Democratic opponent is scheduled to hold a news conference on political reform.

Mary Tinkler plans to meet with reporters outside the Charleston County Courthouse on Tuesday to discuss what a campaign announcement calls “specific reforms to avoid corrupt behavior by elected officials.”

The two candidates meet in November in the race for the House District 114 seat in Charleston.

Harrell faces nine misdemeanor charges that he misused his office for personal gain and lied to law enforcement about his campaign expenses. A judge in Columbia on Monday set an $18,000 personal recognizance bond on the charges.