In an email to constituents, Jim Manning, incumbent for Richland County Council District 8, offered a free chicken sandwich from Chik-fil-a to anyone who came in with him on Monday night.

His opponent, Michael Letts, issued this following public statement in opposition to Manning's offer:

"If this isn't a violation of state law, it's awfully close. It amounts to using the county's public email servers for campaign purposes, and it's wrong.
"Two years ago, when citizens began speaking out against a one-cent sales tax increase, Manning asked the County Election Commission to put a 'gag order' on them to prevent them from speaking out. At the time, I thought it was a new low.
"Since then, there have been news reports of his abusive emails to county employees and fellow council members -- emails which were called 'beyond cruel' and 'unprofessional, intentionally belittling, juvenile and harassing.'"
"According to news reports, he refused to repay the county after over-spending his expense account.
"And today, I saw an email in which Mr. Manning is using the county email system to aid his re-election campaign. 
"Mr. Manning and I obviously have different approaches to public service. Our County Council representative must work to inspire the public's confidence and set a positive example for the community. True public service is about serving the community needs.
"We can no longer afford a councilman who tries to divide rather than unite, or one who abuses county resources for his own personal or political benefit."