The differences between the two candidates running in Tuesday's special election for the state Senate District 6 in Greenville are numerous and noteworthy, far overshadowing any common ground that they share.

There is a 47-year age gap between Democrat Tina Belge and Republican state Rep. Dwight Loftis. Belge, who is running for office for the first time, was 5 years old when Loftis began serving in the state House of Represenatives in 1996.

Loftis said he will bring "proven conservative leadership" to the Senate while Belge said she can provide a "fresh perspective" in the Statehouse.

Loftis, an Upstate native who has three children and three grandchildren, is a retired insurance agent. He previously served on the Greenville County school board and is the past president of Crime Stoppers of Greenville.

He has the backing of Gov. Henry McMaster, who attended a fundraiser for him in Greenville this week, and various conservative groups.

Belge grew up in Augusta, Georgia, where she and her conservative-leaning parents debated politics at the dinner table. She is long-range planner for Greenville County and executive director of Keep Greenville County Beautiful. She worked with an anti-human-trafficking nonprofit organization in Thailand and spent two years in AmericaCorps.

She said her 7-month old daughter, Sammy, inspired to her to run for the Senate. Belge has received support from several Democratic presidential candidates who have visited the Upstate.

Tuesday's special election was scheduled when William Timmons stepped down from the Senate District 6 seat last year after he was elected to the U.S. Congress.

Loftis defeated two candidates, Greenville City Councilwoman Amy Ryberg Doyle and Greer businessman Jeffrey Stringer, in the Republican primary in January. Belge was the only Democrat who filed to run for the seat.

Less than 9 percent of the district's 71,000 registered voters cast ballots in the GOP primary, and special elections typically draw a relatively small number of voters.

Belge said the district, which covers much of western Greenville County, was drawn to favor Republicans. But, she added, "We've put in the work and we've got lots of support." Volunteers for her campaign have contacted 14,000 voters, Belge said.

Loftis is relying heavily on his campaign's Facebook page and an ad airing on radio stations to reach supporters. The ad claims that his opponent is seeking to pursue a national socialist agenda of the Democratic Party.

Belge questioned whether Loftis' rhetoric will resonate with the district's voters.

"People are tired of that," she said. "We go with facts. We go with issues."

Loftis appears to have raised more campaign money than Belge, but it is impossible to fully assess the financial state of their race. Belge, who reported raising $7,100 as of Jan. 15, has yet to file her pre-election disclosure with the state. Loftis reported raising $55,000 — including $20,000 in loans — as of March 15, but that total does not include donations from his most recent fundraiser.

Belge's supporters have criticized Loftis for refusing to debate her. Loftis said he saw no compelling reason for a debate.

"I think my constituents know where my positions are," he said.

Dwight Loftis, Tina Belge focusing on different issues

In an interview at his fundraiser, Loftis said, "I'm pro-business, pro-growth and basically economic development has been my issue for a long time in Columbia, and I plan to continue that in the Senate."

His campaign also has emphasized his support for the Second Amendment and his strong opposition to abortion.

The one issue that Loftis and Belge has each focused on is education.

"Right now the big deal is education," Loftis said. "We've got to educate a workforce."

At a town hall meeting that she hosted this week, Belge said she supports higher salaries for teachers and more autonomy for high-performing schools districts like Greenville County.

She voiced her support at the town hall for expanding Medicaid coverage in South Carolina, legalizing medical marijuana, promoting affordable housing and taking steps to curb domestic violence in South Carolina.

Unlike Loftis, Belge said she opposes offshore energy exploration along South Carolina's coastline. She said Loftis has shown a lack of leadership in promoting economic development in District 6.

Belge also has drawn attention to a parliamentary procedure that Loftis used last year to block legislation seeking to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. She said two students "have nearly been killed" while walking near separate elementary schools in District 6.

Loftis said the bill that he objected to was poorly crafted

"I am for safe roads for all road users," he said.

Follow Kirk Brown on Twitter @KirkBrown_AIM

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