Sheheen Releases First TV Ad, Endorsed by Lott

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — Richland County sheriff Leon L tells ABC Columbia, “the death of kids was the straw that broke the camel’s back that prompted me to do the endorsement.” That endorsement, released publicly for the first time, is for democratic senator Vincent Sheheen in his quest for the governor’s office. The first television ad of the Sheheen for South Carolina campaign, entitled “Sheriff” features one of the most high profile law enforcement officers in the Midlands in Lott, giving his stamp of approval for the democratic opponent for governor. “Vincent will clean up Nikki Haley’s mess and protect our children,” said Lott in the commercial. The 30-second commercial blasts the incumbent, Gov. Nikki Haley’s, administration for its handling of cases of children who‘ve died while the Department of Social Services has been involved with their families. Many people are calling for the removal of DSS director Lillian Koller. Haley has said repeatedly she will not terminate Koller. Haley spokesperson Rob Godfrey wasted no time firing back, saying “This ad wins the academy award for irony. Vince Sheheen says he‘s not playing politics with children‘s lives, but that‘s exactly what he‘s doing with this ad. Vince has been running for governor for five straight years, and this ad continues his unbroken streak of negativity and failure to offer South Carolinians any vision for what he would do.” This is not the first time Sheriff Leon Lott has endorsed a candidate for governor. He did so for Jim Hodges, and points out that he has endorsed democrats as well as republicans over the span of his law enforcement career.