Democratic candidates for governor found the best place to kick off their face offs was Hawg Heaven Wednesday night as the party looks for prosperity in the 2010 general election.

Five candidates, Attorney Dwight Drake, Sen. Robert Ford, Attorney Mullins McLeod, Superintendent of Education Jim Rex, and Sen. Vincent Sheheen discussed their views with a packed crowd at the local restaurant.

Drake

Drake promised the crowd that he takes fewer vacations and has fewer girlfriends than current Gov. Mark Sanford.

He says his family, church and work are important in his life.

The Vietnam vet has worked to defeat school vouchers, represented BMW in negotiations for incentives to come to South Carolina, and worked to get funding for unemployment benefits and the stimulus money.

Ford

The Charleston senator says he will work to bring video poker back to the state and use the money to fund education, afterschool care, faith-based education, infrastructure, tax credits for alternative education and a “rainy day” fund.

His plan is to have one teacher for every 15 students and a six-day-a-week afterschool program for four hours each day.

McLeod

The Walterboro resident is the nephew of local state representative Walt McLeod.

The Wofford graduate says he wants to help people solve problems and thinks it is critical for the next governor to come from the private sector.

He wants to work on lobbyist reform and believes school vouchers are “ridiculous.“

McLeod also wants the state have a healthy population through good health care and sees the need to get jobs into the state.

Rex

Rex told the crowd he has improved the on-time graduation in the state.

He says the democratic party must get wins in the 2010 election to keep the redistricting of seats balanced in the state and to continue with a two-party system.

Sheheen

The Kershaw native says the state needs to look at three issues.

First, the need for leadership in office, a vision for economic development and appointing professionals to state offices.

He also does not believe in vouchers for education and sends his children to public schools.

“Teachers teach when they are teaching, not testing,“ said Sheheen.