Miller Works Across Party Lines

Tue, Oct. 31, 2006
STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 108
By Zane Wilson
The Sun News
Can a Democrat deliver for a House district in a state where Republicans rule? Challenger Ricky Horne, the Republican seeking to oust state Rep. Vida Miller, says no and is making that the focus of his campaign.
Miller, D-Pawleys Island, is seeking a sixth term and says her experience and the relationships she has built with the leadership of both parties has delivered results for the district.
"His whole thing is, I am not working with the Republican Party," Miller said. "That is not true."
"We're the only Democratic district on the coast, and the Republicans tell me that she works against their agenda," Horne said. "Her position is hurting the people of this district."
House District 108 runs along the coast from the Horry County line south into the Charleston County village of Awendaw. It includes the fast-growing Waccamaw Neck and most of the city of Georgetown as well as some rural areas west and south.
Horne, who ran for the state Senate in 1992 as a Democrat and withdrew, then sought the same post two years ago before withdrawing again before the primary election, said he sees too many things the district needs that it is not getting, mainly road money.
Miller said Horne is misinformed about the different types of road funds, and that his complaints about Charleston and Horry counties getting large amounts of road money ignore the fact that those counties had to put up matching money.
"He doesn't know the issues," and will not be able to accomplish anything as a freshman legislator, Miller said.
Horne, whose campaign theme is "Republican teamwork," said GOP leaders tell him he can do more in two years than she has done in 10, and, if not, he will not run again.
Miller said she has been influential in getting money for the district's needs, but that it isn't a one-person show. The delegation, currently three Democrats and a Republican, has to work together and all have to work with leaders from both parties to get anything done.
"You don't go to Columbia and work with one party," Miller said.
She cites the casino boat bill as an example. The law allows local governments to ban or tax the boats. Until that passed, they operated under federal law with no local controls since 1998.
When the bill stalled in the Senate two years ago, Republicans from the coastal areas came to her and asked her to try to get it through the House, which she did with the help of GOP members.
"That was working with Republican leadership," Miller said. "It was teamwork with the Republican leadership."
Horne said it is those same Republican legislative leaders, including Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, who are encouraging him to run. But it was Miller who received a $1,000 donation from Harrell's campaign assistance fund. Harrell did not donate to Horne, according to documents.
A former school board member and businesswoman who has been involved in business and community organizations for years, Miller said she has a proven record of service, whereas Horne has not been as visible in the community.
He served on the Horry County Planning Commission in the 1980s and currently is on the Georgetown County Transportation Committee, appointed by the legislative delegation.
Horne recently paid property taxes the county said were overdue. The county scheduled the property for tax sale, but Horne said he sold the property. He said he will get his money back when he proves he sold the property. He also has several hundred dollars showing as unpaid on boats, motors and vehicles but he said he no longer owns those items and can't find the paperwork to get them off the tax books.