COLUMBIA, SC –The Tea Party of the Lakelands announced today that at its last meeting in March the group’s all volunteer leadership team met and voted to endorse Gresham Barrett for Governor.

The Tea Party of the Lakelands has representatives from the counties of Greenwood, Saluda, McCormick, and Abbeville. As many as 250 grassroots members have gathered on various occasions to voice their concerns with the current leadership in Washington. The group decided collectively to take an active part in the upcoming elections and pledged its support to Gresham Barrett.

In backing Barrett, the Tea Party of the Lakelands pointed to his staunch opposition to the federal stimulus package, the government takeover of healthcare and the current Administration.

“In Congress, Gresham Barrett has been a true voice for liberty,” said Cathy Heitzenrater, the group’s original organizer and current spokesperson. “His record speaks volumes about his dedication to the principles upon which our country was founded – faith, freedom and individual responsibility.”

Heitzenrater continued, “With the federal government intruding more and more in our lives, we need a Governor with the character to stand up for our state and our families. Gresham’s courage and conviction makes him the leader we need in these challenging times. No person or candidate is, or can be, perfect however we have faith in Gresham’s desire and commitment to do what is best for the South Carolinians of today and those of tomorrow also.”

Barrett thanked the Tea Party of the Lakelands saying, “I want to personally thank the Tea Party of the Lakelands for their support and for their commitment to our Constitution, to liberty and to defending the time-tested principles we hold dear. Together, we can take this country back one state at a time and we’ll start right here in South Carolina.”

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