POLITICAL NEWS: SC House candidate Mia Butler earns endorsement of popular Midlands educator

Mia Butler

With six days remaining in the 2010 campaign season, Mia Butler, the Democratic nominee for the South Carolina House of Representatives District 79 seat, has received the endorsement of Dr. Stephen Hefner, former superintendent of Richland Two Schools.  The Butler campaign announced the endorsement in an email message sent out on Wednesday morning.

“Mia understands that when we keep public funds in our public schools, every child will have an opportunity to excel," said Hefner in the statement.  "I strongly support Mia Butler for House District 79 because I’ve worked with her on issues that are critical to our district. She’s always been a fierce advocate for public education and I know she’ll continue to help strengthen our public education system to ensure that our schools remain among the best in the state.”

Dr. Stephen Hefner

Hefner spent 35 years in the Richland Two school district including 16 years as superintendent.  He retired from the district in June and later agreed to become interim superintendent of Lexington-Richland 5 schools beginning on January 1, 2011.

"Mia Butler is proud to have the endorsement of one of our state’s strongest champions for public education," said campaign spokesman Zach Croft.

Butler faces Republican nominee Sheri Few in the general election next Tuesday.  The winner will take the seat vacated by former Rep. Anton Gunn when he accepted appointment by President Barack Obama to the position of regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.