Catherine Templeton in Post & Courier

On Abortion: Define personhood from conception; no exceptions for incest

Catherine Templeton has changed her position on a bill that would effectively ban all abortions in the state, saying she now supports the effort despite her earlier concerns it does not include an exception for victims of incest. Earlier in the campaign, Templeton had distinguished herself from the rest of the GOP field by saying she believes there should be an exception for incest. That stance earned a rebuke from the bill's supporters who excoriated the candidate for being insufficiently pro-life.

In a tele-town hall, a caller asked Templeton about her position on the Personhood bill. "I would support any law in South Carolina that would reduce the number of abortions," Templeton responded. A Templeton campaign spokesman confirmed the candidate has shifted her stance on the issue. "While campaigning, Catherine Templeton was asked to pray about her support for life and consider making no exceptions," the spokesman said. "It may not be the politically correct answer, but so be it."

Source: Post and Courier on 2018 South Carolina governor race Feb 27, 2018

On Civil Rights: Proud of the Confederacy; don't rewrite history

Catherine Templeton made waves in her first public forum as gubernatorial candidate by saying she is "proud of the Confederacy" and pledged "we're not going to rewrite history" by removing Confederate monuments. Templeton's comments upset black leaders, who are still stung by the vicious fight to remove the Confederate battle flag from the S.C. Statehouse grounds.

A man who identified himself as a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans asked Templeton about her views on "Southern heritage" and removal of monuments and memorials.

Templeton's answer was blunt: "Not on my watch. I don't think there's anything else to say about it," Templeton said. "You cannot rewrite history. I don't care whose feelings it hurts. You cannot rewrite history. We're standing on the shoulders of giants in South Carolina," she added. "And it's why we are, who we are, where we are. And I very much respect the men who gave their homes, their fortunes & their lives to put us in this position."

Source: Post and Courier on 2018 South Carolina Governor race Aug 2, 2017

On Government Reform: Fight corruption & waste & good ol' boy system in Columbia

Former state health department director Catherine Templeton will run for governor of South Carolina in 2018. The anti-union attorney who was on the short list for Labor Secretary in President Donald Trump's cabinet, Templeton made her plans official in a statement to The Post and Courier:

"I have never run for office, and I won't run for the next one, but I can't unsee what I saw in Columbia," Templeton said. "The corruption, waste, self interest, and good ol boy system is alive and well. It's ridiculous. Doing the right thing, is not that hard if you are in it for the right reasons.

"Right now is the time to send someone with practical experience running a business, making a home, and reforming government to call balls and strikes and do the math in Columbia," she continued. "We can't wait another decade to get started."

Source: Post and Courier on 2018 South Carolina governor race Apr 4, 2017

The above quotations are from The Charleston Post and Courier political news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from The Charleston Post and Courier political news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Catherine Templeton. Click here for a profile of Catherine Templeton.
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Oct 26, 2026