The Greenville News from Greenville, South Carolina • AA1

The Greenville News MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018 1AA Metro COLUMBIA State Rep. James Smith, who has said repeatedly he is the only Democrat capable of win- ning the race in Novem- ber, is talking about his chief Repub- lican rival, only, in his latest cam- paign ad. In the 30-second spot that began airing Thursday, Smith, who served in the Army in Afghanistan, says that leaders in the Army take care of their soldiers but in Carolina, our political leaders are not taking care of our He says that 125,000 South Caro- linians have health coverage because Gov. Henry McMaster would not accept an expansion of Medicaid. That decision, he says, cost the state $7 billion in lost federal money.

If elected, he says in the ad, Smith will expand health care. take care of our people be- cause what it means to he says. The campaign has purchased a $101,259 buy to run the ad statewide, according to the campaign. Its release comes on the heels of two latest campaign ads, including The begins by remind- ing viewers that President Donald Trump endorsed him in his race to be elected governor. Then it draws comparison be- tween the two leaders, saying that like Trump, McMaster is new records for that both have tak- en action to ban sanctuary cities, both are endorsed by the National Ri- Association and both have taken action against using tax dollars for Planned Parenthood, which operates abortion clinics.

Trump knows that when your team is winning, you the coach and put in a an announcer says in the ad. just keep Templeton has released two 30- second online ads featuring her and her running mate, solicitor Walt Wil- kins of Greenville. In one of the two ads, the pair ex- change lighter including Wilkins saying he is and Templeton saying she prefers vine- gar-based barbecue while Wilkins says he is a our Temple- ton begins, Carolina deserves a bold conservative Wilkins adds. In the second ad, Wilkins says whether it is illegal immigrants or politicians, we will enforce the have to end the culture of big government corruption in Templeton says. Carolina deserves a future as strong and conservative as our Wilkins says.

campaign says it is making buys with the digital commercials. Catherine Templeton-Walt Wilkins team is the only ticket in this race capable of taking on Good Old Templeton cam- paign manager R.J. May III said. is a clear break from the failed policies of the past. This new generation of conservative leadership will get South Carolina moving again in the right Democrats and Republicans will hold their primary elections on June 12.

Also running for governor on the GOP side is John Warren of Green- ville, Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant of Ander- son and former Lt. Gov. Yancey McGill of Williamsburg County.

Smith faces Democrats Phil Noble of Charleston and Marguerite Willis of Florence. Democrat targets Republican even before primary Tim Smith Greenville News USA TODAY NETWORK SOUTH CAROLINA The death of one of the two men whose decomposed bodies were found in Fair Play has been as a homicide by Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis. Addis said Sunday that an autopsy showed that Wesley B. Lothery, 66, of Marrett Carnes Road in Fair Play, died from blunt force injuries consistent with having been assaulted by someone. Ad- dis said Lothery is presumed to have died on May 24 or May 25.

body was found in the front yard of a home in the 300 block of Tam- mi Lane around 1 p.m. Friday. The homeowner, Ronald L. Hol- brooks, 66, was found in a bedroom. Addis said autopsy was inconclusive and a toxicology analysis will be required to determine his cause of death.

According to Addis, Holbrooks had no fatal injuries. He is presumed to have died on May 26 or May 27, Addis said. The Oconee County is continuing to investigate both deaths, Addis said, adding that his will re- lease no further details. Animal control deputies took control of several dogs on the property where the bodies of Lothery and Holbrooks were found, Oconee County spokeman Jimmy Watt said. Rick Holbrooks, a distant cousin to Ronald Holbrooks, said he had not kept in close contact with Ronald Hol- brooks and did not know Lothery.

he said. hate it for the family and friends that he Anyone who saw something suspi- cious in the area where the men died during the last 10 days is asked to call the at 864-638-4111 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Follow Kirk Brown on Twitter and email him at kirk.brown@indepenentmail.com Coroner: Fair Play death as homicide Kirk Brown Greenville News USA TODAY NETWORK SOUTH CAROLINA hen he was just a little fellow, a mischievous Walt Wil- kins once tossed a frog down a toilet during a family Christmas party and stopped up the commode. Water went Greenville County Johnny Mack Brown remembers wanted to see if that frog would dad, former chief justice of the 4th Cir- cuit U.S. Court of Appeals Billy Wilkins said.

Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins is pictured in the solicitor's office May 29. Republican candidate for governor Catherine Templeton announced Wilkins would be her running mate. LAUREN Get to know Walt Wilkins is someone who understands how to make government work for the people. And more of a crime take on corruption. taken on plenty of corrupt politicians, gangs, violent criminals, and with that package deal we feel like we complement each other very Walt Wilkins A plane crash hero, outdoorsman, running mate Ron Barnett Greenville News USA TODAY NETWORK SOUTH CAROLINA See WILKINS, Page 3AA.