Small business group backs McMaster for governor

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The National Federation of Independent Business is throwing its weight behind Republican Gov. Henry McMaster.

The NFIB is the largest advocacy organization representing small and independent businesses in the country.

“To say South Carolina small businesses have thrived under the governor’s leadership is really an understatement. He has helped guide us through some really tough times and now it’s just times of uncharted prosperity,” NFIB State Director Ben Homeyer said. “He has worked with our technical colleges to address worker shortages . . . He has made sure that businesses are protected from frivolous lawsuits during COVID.”

The endorsement, while significant, is not unexpected. The NFIB routinely endorses conservative candidates. McMaster called the endorsement a “good moment” and thanked the NFIB.

“South Carolina’s business is business,” McMaster said. “South Carolina is booming and we want to keep it booming and to keep us booming we have to have strong, strong small business.”

The announcement was made in Charleston at a small event hosted by Wulbern-Koval, a Lowcountry office furniture supplier located in downtown Charleston. Joey Koval, who runs the business, says the governor’s policies helped them successfully navigate the pandemic.

“COVID-19 had a significant impact on our industry and continues to do so. We were grateful, however, that Governor McMaster kept South Carolina open for business,” Koval said. “While many of our counterparts in other states were closed for extended periods, Governor McMaster took a measured approach and made it clear that business is essential.”

McMaster’s Democratic opponent, Joe Cunningham, released a statement in response to the endorsement through his senior advisor, Tyler Jones:

The facts are clear: Under Henry McMaster’s disastrous record as governor and a career politician, South Carolina has the highest income tax rate in the entire region. Violent crime is at an all-time high. And our economy is still recovering from his decision to shut down businesses and schools during COVID.

McMaster says he is proud to have cut income tax for everyone in the last year and touted a plan to fully eliminate income tax on first responders.

The election is Nov. 8.

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