S.C. county GOP seeks purity pledge
S.C. county GOP seeks purity pledge
LAURENS, S.C. (AP) — A county Republican group in South Carolina wants its candidates to promise to not cheat on their spouses and not watch pornography. But the state GOP says it would be illegal to keep candidates off the ballot only because they refuse to sign the pledge.
Bobby Smith, the chairman of the Laurens County Republicans, says the “purity pledge” endorsed by the group last month is meant to encourage good values in the party’s candidates. He says it won’t prevent anyone from getting on the ballot.
The pledge would require candidates to promise they have not had premarital sex and will protect gun rights and oppose abortion, among other things. The state Republican party says it would be illegal to enforce such a pledge.
Officer probed for moving mattresses
MIAMI (AP) — A veteran Miami police officer caught using her patrol car to haul mattresses has been relieved of duty with pay while the department investigates. Several Miami television stations aired viewers’ video or photos of the marked patrol car with mattresses fastened to the top on Monday. Officer Sandra Lyles’ vehicle, gun and badge have been taken.
The 32-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Police Department is set to retire Monday, but a police spokeswoman said the investigation wouldn’t affect her retirement.
Major Nancy Perez says Lyles violated department policy and embarrassed herself.