Republican Patrick Haddon is lashing out at Democrat Carrie Counton, his opponent in Tuesday's special election for South Carolina House of Representatives District 19, for receiving support from struggling Democratic presidential hopeful Seth Moulton.

Moulton, a third-term congressman from Massachusetts, is coming to Greenville on Tuesday, the day voters head to the polls, to campaign for Counton. Though he failed to qualify for the first two Democratic presidential debates, Moulton is campaigning to ultimately defeat Republican President Donald Trump. He also campaigned with Counton in June.

"She needs to come out and tell the voters of the district why she's campaigning with people who hate our president and who want to take our liberties away," said Haddon, who said Moulton "doesn't represent the district's values."

Counton has criticized Haddon for an ethics violation Haddon committed as a member of the board of the Parker Sewer and Fire District in 2011 and 2012, when he had repairs made to his personal pickup and a utility trailer.

The District 19 special election between Counton and Haddon marks the final step in a series of political moves set in motion when William Timmons relinquished his state Senate seat after being elected to represent South Carolina's 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House in November.

Dwight Loftis, who represented state House District 19 for 23 years, replaced Timmons in the state Senate District 6 seat after beating two GOP rivals in a January primary and then defeating Democrat Tina Belge in a March 26 special election.

Haddon earned the right to compete against Counton in Tuesday's election for state House District 19 when he defeated firefighter Bill Addis in the June 18 Republican primary.

Counton is running after losing to Loftis in the race for the seat last November.

District 19 covers a portion of western Greenville County.

Counton, whose father is a Vietnam War veteran, said she and Moulton "have a wonderful relationship." She said she admires Moulton, who is a former Marine officer who received a Bronze Star and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his service in Iraq.

And Counton said she's more "trustworthy" than Haddon.

She said that her supporters have told her that, "Given the choice, we would rather have someone who doesn't have any kind of ethics violations against them."

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According to an ethics commission consent order, Haddon was serving on the board of the Parker Sewer and Fire District when he had repairs made to his personal pickup and a utility trailer on three occasions in 2011 and 2012 at the district's maintenance shop. Haddon assisted the district's maintenance supervisor and mechanic in making the repairs and also provided the parts and materials that were used, according to the order.

Haddon admitted that he violated a state law prohibiting a public official from using his position for personal gain, according to the order. He received a public reprimand from the ethics commission and was ordered to pay a $1,000 administrative fee.

Three other Parker board members received reprimands from the ethics commission in September and October of 2014 for similar violations involving work done on their vehicles at the district maintenance shop between 2011 and 2013, records show. They were ordered to pay a total of $3,000 in administrative fees.

"I learned from it. I apologized. I moved on," Haddon said.

Tuesday's election follows series of political moves that started last year

Haddon, 41, is a business owner and former chairman of the Greenville County Republican Party. He previously ran for the state Senate District 6 seat in 2008, losing in the GOP primary to former Sen. Mike Fair.

Counton, 39, is a higher-education academic coach who is making her second bid for the District 19 seat.

Haddon has a sizable financial advantage in the race, according to financial disclosures filed by the candidates. He borrowed $100,000 for his campaign and also donated $26,000 in personal funds to go along with $11,595 in contributions from supporters.

Counton, who has received slightly more than $4,000 in campaign contributions, said it appears that Haddon is "trying to buy the seat."

Haddon scoffed at her remark.

"I think that is absurd," he said. "We are fully committed to invest what we need to do to take our conservative values to Columbia."

Both District 19 candidates have focused on education

Counton and Haddon each have focused on education during their campaigns.

"It is pretty clear that the schools are not all fully and equally funded," said Counton, adding that she wants to look into how the state is spending money from its education lottery.

Haddon said he supports school choice and also wants to lessen burdens on teachers that detract from classroom instruction.

"I am for whatever gets that child the best education, and I want to include the parents first," he said.

Haddon said he wants to improve the state's workforce, help small businesses and lower taxes.

Counton said she favors expanding the state's Medicaid insurance program and supports increasing the state's minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour.

"South Carolina deserves better," she said. "My top two priorities are taking care of moms and our kids."

Follow Kirk Brown on Twitter @KirkBrown_AIM