Today, Democratic Lt. Gubernatorial candidate Ashley Cooper called for an immediate moratorium on new offshore oil drilling and exploration. Cooper’s position is in sharp contrast to his opponents currently competing in a Republican primary who favor drilling despite the risk.

“What the disaster in The Gulf has shown us is that we simply don’t have the redundant safety measures to prevent these types of accidents. We just can’t afford to keep drilling with the risk of this happening again,” Cooper said. “I want a moratorium on new platforms until we can implement the additional safety measures to prevent future accidents.”

Would you notice if you misplaced $1000 dollars?

How about if you lost $60 million?

It’s incredible, but true – the career politicians in Columbia lost $60 million of our tax money.

Help our state get to the bottom of this scandal – join me today in calling for a non-partisan, independent audit of all state finances by signing this petition.

Mismanagement by the career politicians in Columbia has cost us jobs, increased our debt and forced drastic cuts to our schools and our roads. And now we learn that they’ve also lost $60 million of our tax money.

Those resources should be helping to create jobs, support our schools, or lower our taxes. But instead of a solution, the politicians are pointing fingers at each other. They’re more interested in affixing blame than fixing the problem.

It’s time for a fresh approach.

And the first step must be an independent audit of all state finances to ensure that even more of our money isn't being lost, misused, or mismanaged.

Click here to sign the petition for an audit today — and join me in holding the career politicians accountable.

Because it's our money and we deserve to know how it is being spent.

South Carolina is ready for new leadership. We all know it; now it's time to show it.

Click the link to request a bumper sticker, or better yet, request two and give one to a friend who shares your belief that we need a new direction in South Carolina.

Together we will win this election.