The two candidates for state senate participated in the forum last night sponsored by the Chattooga County Farm Bureau, The Summerville News, SKY 21 Television and AM 1180 Chattooga County Radio.  Incumbent Republican Senator Jeff Mullis answered questions about the tone of the campaign which has gotten increasingly negative over the past several weeks.

Mullis stated that his opponents record as a law enforcement officer showed character, but that while Democrat Bruce Coker did not personally claim to be a "liberal" he had taken the endorsement from "liberal" organizations such as the AFL-CIO and the teachers union.  Mullis’ response was to a question regarding his own campaign advertising which says "there are a lot of liberals out there saying character doesn’t matter".

Coker responded to Mullis’ statement saying that campaign literature sent out by the state Republican party was sending "subliminal" messages that are not needed. 

Coker is facing Mullis for the second time, having lost the election in 2006.  Mullis was first elected to the senate in 2000 representing Chattooga, Walker, Dade and Catoosa counties.