Ervin: Haley uses ‘pay-to-play’ to lure companies

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Independent governor candidate Tom Ervin says Gov. Nikki Haley hasn’t properly vetted companies she recruits to South Carolina

The former judge and legislator told reporters at a news conference Friday that the Republican has also questionably taken campaign contributions from companies while she is trying to get them to set up shop in South Carolina.

A Haley campaign spokeswoman said all candidates seek contributions from donors that agree with their views or support their successes.

Ervin has spent nearly a million dollars of his own money to stay relevant in this campaign. He declined to say Friday exactly how much he has contributed personally. But Ervin did say that, if elected governor, he would not take money from companies during the recruitment period.

___

Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP