Sue Rex — wife of South Carolina State Superintendent of Education and gubernatorial candidate Jim Rex — spoke at Union County Democratic Headquarters Friday afternoon.

Rex discussed her husband’s qualifications and platform for his campaign for governor of South Carolina, mentioning his experience as an English teacher and football coach, the Dean of Education at Winthrop University and Coastal Carolina University, President of Columbia College, the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and the Vice President of University Advancement at the University of South Carolina. Mrs. Rex also pointed out that South Carolina has never elected a true educator for governor.

“Governor Riley is our education governor, but his background is law,” Rex said.

She stressed the importance of continuing education and “re-tooling” for South Carolinians to acquire knowledge-based jobs.

Rex went on to point out that her husband has proven his ability to win a statewide race even if the odds are against him. Rex won the 2006 State Superintendent of Education election by only 455 votes. The total number of votes was about 1.3 million.

“Jim was out-spent three to one, and he was behind in the polls,” Rex said.

Rex then gave an overview of her husband’s platform, which is centered around “the three E’s”—economy, education and environment. She proposed that the state could be divided into five separate regions, each having a portfolio to keep track of progress. She mentioned that their vision is to bring more corporations to all regions of SC, not just Greenville, Columbia and Charleston.

The Rexes have created a well-defined marketing plan for SC, which, if elected, they would use to improve the state’s image nationwide.

“We want to change the image to what we’re proud of; what we love; what we’re here for,” said Rex.

Rex went on to state that her husband has served on six boards involving conservation on his own free time. Rex is a hunter, fisherman and former shrimp boat operator.

Spectators that were present at the event were not only urged to vote in the June 8 primary election, but to also talk about the campaign within their communities. They were also given a seven-page copy of “The Jim Rex Plan: Jobs Now. Jobs for a Strong Future.” The section called “Jobs Now” consisted of twelve ideas to protect and create jobs.

The section called “Jobs for a Strong Future” gave an overview of a long-term plan to prepare the SC workforce for jobs in innovative new fields as well as expansion of jobs in current sectors that provide “good-wage jobs” that are needed.

Rex also mentioned that she and her husband are at a stage as a couple that will allow them to give 100 percent of their time since the youngest of their four children is now 28.

She is also a former classroom teacher and college professor, specializing in special education.