Barrett officially seeking governor’s office
The State
March 4, 2009

U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett is officially a candidate for governor, as the Oconee Republican made an announcement with a mass e-mail and video Wednesday morning.

In the video entitled “Opportunity,” Barrett plays up his deep South Carolina roots at his family owned furniture store in the Upstate and as a Citadel cadet. He also touches on his leadership experience as a former Army officer. Barrett served three terms in the S.C. House before making his run for Congress in 2002, where he captured the 3rd Congressional District seat once held by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Barrett is the first of the three most well-known Republicans who have shown public interest in the race to make an official campaign announcement. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said he is likely to make an official announcement soon. Attorney General Henry McMaster has publicly expressed interest in running for governor but has not made an official announcement.