Palin, Jenny Sanford help underdog, Nikki Haley, in SC gov race

Do we, in SC, have another Palin in our midst? The values she has shown in her rise fit well with the conservative wave that is consuming America. She knows business and the difficulties in earning a buck. She also knows how easy it is for government to take it away. These endorsements should shine the light on her candidacy. Read her resume here.

Excerpt: COLUMBIA, S.C. – A rock star sisterhood of sorts is forming around a back-of-the-pack GOP candidate in the race to replace disgraced South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.

State Rep. Nikki Haley is getting an in-person endorsement from Sarah Palin on Friday and support from Sanford's hugely popular ex-wife, Jenny. The former first lady who moved out of the governor's mansion with the help of her girlfriends last summer now is doing all she can to help Haley move in.

South Carolina has never had a female governor and just once elected a female lieutenant governor.

Political scientist Scott Huffmon said Palin and Jenny Sanford's support for Haley is more about her conservative politics than her gender. But the payoff couldn't come at a better time as Haley tries to win enough votes to force a runoff with McMaster, who is regarded as the front-runner.

"This is an incredible amount of free publicity that comes right at the time that primary voters are yawning, stretching and putting up their political antennae," Huffmon said.

Backing from Palin and Jenny Sanford gives Haley a better chance to be heard. But, Huffmon added: "It's still a boys club in South Carolina and she's been fighting to overcome that." Read full AP article here.