For the South Carolina Republican primary on Jan. 19, I will vote for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

With his rise in the polls allowing him to be seen as an "electable" candidate on the national stage, donations have dramatically increased so he can plan beyond our state and be ready for "Super Tuesday" primaries during February.

He was governor of Arkansas for more than 10 years. During that time, he chaired the National Governors Association, providing leadership to his fellow governors. He also passed Arkansas's first broad tax cut package and reduced more than 90 additional taxes. He balanced the state budget five times, eliminating the capital gains tax for home sales, and indexed the state income tax to inflation, thereby keeping people from being forced into higher tax brackets. Most impressive of all, he left office with a budget surplus of more than $800 million.

Long before "sanctity of life" became a political buzzword, Huckabee has held unwavering conviction in support of a federal constitutional amendment to protect the right to life. He feels that Roe v. Wade should be overturned. He supports a federal constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

He knows that our Second Amendment rights are primarily for individual self-defense, and to protect against government tyranny. He knows the threat posed by radical Islamic fascists on our country's freedom, and has vowed to continue the fight against them. His strong stance on immigration reform and enforcement has won the endorsement of Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist.

Lastly, I support Huckabee's strong Christian views. Long before he was chosen to head Arkansas' Baptist Convention as a church pastor, he talked the talk and walked the-walk. He has never been ashamed to talk about his strong belief in the Bible, and he does not fall prey to "political correctness" so common among today's office-seekers.

Robert G. Gossett, Graniteville, S.C.