BY BILL WEST
Lexington County Chronicle & The Dispatch-News

Rob Miller, a veteran of two tours in Iraq, tells the Chronicle that he is more confident than ever of victory in his battle to unseat Congressman Joe Wilson.

Miller retired from the U.S. Marines in 2008 to run against the Republican incumbent. Two years ago, Wilson recaptured the seat with 53.7% of the vote. He has held the District 2 seat since 2001.

Things are different this election cycle for the Democrat challenger. Miller has already collected four times as much in campaign support as he did in 2008. The race has become one of the hottest in the nation, with more than $5.4 million raised by the two candiates.

The Democrat challenger told the Chronicle last week he is running for the District 2 Seat “Because we need to get back to basics. For far-too-long we have been focused on Washington politics and Washington issues. We need to get back to South Carolina in general and District 2 issues in particular.”

The Second District stretches from Lexington and Columbia all the way to Hilton Head Island and includes 10 counties.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the $5.4 million raised in a House race is the most expensive congressional race in the country. It is more than $2 million ahead of number two (New York District 20) and almost $3 million ahead of the 10th most expensive Congressional race in the nation (Va. #07).

According to the latest figures, Miller has raised $2.024 million while Wilson has raised $3.394 million.

Federal Election Commission reports through December, 2009, showed Wilson with $2.34 million and Miller with $1.67 million on hand with both sides still raising money for the November contest.

The Second Congressional District in South Carolina has been in Republican hands since 1965 and was one of the first areas of the state to break away from its Democratic roots.

Veteran campaign observers say Miller’s showing of 46.4% of the vote in 2008 could be directly tied to the presidential race, however, Miller said he has been talking with small business owners and concerned individuals, “one on one” and is getting a positive response.

Miller, a graduate of USC and a small business owner, said his campaign is focused on common sense leadership and common sense solutions. He said the congressional leader in this district must be focused on the importance of creating jobs here.