GEORGETOWN, SC — The 12th annual Lowcountry Boil & Stump held in Georgetown Tuesday night drew candidates from the major parties, but also drew many who were campaigning for the Green Party, Independent Party and Working Families Party.

While the  Democrats and Republicans were represented, there were also candidates who announced their platforms for third parties in major races this year.

Annette Fisher, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said she does not remember as many third party candidates appearing at previous rallies.

“This is my fourth stump and I don’t know that we’ve ever had so many third party candidates,’’ she said.

“They love opportunities to have access to our potential constituents.”

Neither Sen. Jim DeMint nor his opponent  Alvin Greene appeared to campaign for the U.S. Senate seat.

Green party candidate Tom Clements spoke during the rally.

“I’m mad at Washington,’’ he said. “I’m for working people, not huge corporations. I’m for giving tax breaks to small companies. I’m the other choice, people. I present a clear alternative.”

Rob Groce, the Working Families candidate, is running against Republican Tim Scott and Democrat Ben Fraiser for Congressional District One.

Groce was endorsed last week by the S.C. AFL-CIO during their annual convention in Georgetown.

“We need to make sure we have jobs here,’’ Groce said. “The health care act benefits everybody.

“One candidate wants to defeat it, but all it will do is make sure that everyone else will pay for others’ insurance.”

Other candidates who attended the stump meeting were Mac McCullough, who is running for U.S. District 1 as a United Citizens candidate.

“We’re in this recession because of unbridled greed and corruption,’’ he said.

Morgan Reeves, the green party candidate for governor, also spoke at the rally about the need  for an ethanol plant and ways that students could learn about green trades while still in high school.

In addition to the third party candidates, there were also candidates for Georgetown County Board of Education, 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office,  and State Superintendent of Education.

Running for the Board of Education are Jim Dumm, David Curry, Pat Deleone, Benny Elliott and Johnny Wilson.

Secretary of State candidates Marjorie Johnson and incumbent Mark Hammond also spoke at the rally.

Kevin Ryan, running as a Republican for House Seat 108, spoke about the need for getting the port dredged and the completion of S.C. 521.

He also said money needs to be taken from Columbia and given to classroom teachers.

His opponent Vida Miller, a Democrat, cited her record in the General Assembly.

Miller said she helped vote in a tax relief bill in 2005 and has also co-sponsored a bill to have casino boats banned.

“I want to continue my service,’’ she said.

By Kelly Marshall Fuller

Kfuller@gtowntimes.com