Myrtle Beach area tea party defends Nikki Haley (with video)

Unsubstantiated allegations that gubernatorial hopeful Nikki Haley had an affair did not deter the Myrtle Beach Tea Party from endorsing her Saturday, part of what she described as a groundswell of support since last week's accusation.

"Everybody has been fabulous," Haley said at a small rally off Kings Highway. "I immediately got a call from Sarah Palin. I got a call from Mitt Romney. I got a call from Jenny Sanford."

"The public has been amazing. Everybody sees this for what it is, which is a last-minute tactic."

Will Folks, a former press secretary for Mark Sanford, wrote on his website Monday that he had an "inappropriate" affair with the state legislator, who is married. Folks told The Associated Press the relationship happened in 2007, while he was working for Haley writing speeches and news releases.

Haley has vehemently denied the allegations, and no evidence has emerged to support Folks' claim. Haley leads her three opponents going into the June 8 state primary.

The Myrtle Beach Tea Party has paid a lot of attention to the coverage, president Luke Towery said, noting that the group was familiar with Folks and his blog prior to the allegations.

"We were somewhat incredulous from the start of it," he said. "But as the situation has developed and Nikki has clearly enunciated that the situation is completely fallacious, I don't think anyone can doubt her at this point."

Towery said Haley's support for transparency measures in the S.C. House of Representatives earned her the tea party's endorsement.

Other evidence suggests that support for Haley remains strong.

An independent poll taken Tuesday night and released Friday by the S.C. Statehouse Report gave Haley 30 percent in the four-way race, a 10-point lead over her closest competitor, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer. About 20 percent remain undecided.

It may be too early to tell the full impact of the allegations. On the survey, respondents were also asked how allegations of an affair would affect how they voted for a candidate. About 21 percent said they would be less likely to vote for that candidate, and more than 25 percent said they would definitely vote against the candidate.

The Post & Courier reported that Haley firmly denied the claims Friday on WTMA-AM radio show "The Morning Buzz," her first public appearance since the allegations. Most callers voiced their continued support for Haley.

More could ride on the allegations than just one election. Interest from big names in the Republican Party indicate that Haley's political career may someday have national potential. Haley shot to No. 1 in the polls starting May 20, one week after receiving Palin's endorsement.

Haley also gives credit to the tea party movement for putting her campaign in the lead.

"We are 10 days out from the election, so get excited because we're about to take South Carolina back," Haley said. "You took me from 'Nikki, who?' to first in the polls. That was because of the tea party."

The tea party endorsement was part of a push by the tea party to get out the vote in the final lead up to the primary election, Towery said.

The gathering of about 35 people in the Kings Festival Shopping Center at 1403 N. Kings Highway, comprised mostly campaign workers and Myrtle Beach Tea Party organizers. The 9:30 a.m. event was immediately before Saturday's Memorial Day weekend parade, where the tea party members handed out cards that listed endorsements and encouraged residents to vote.

The tea party group also endorsed Larry Kobrovsky for S.C.'s 1st Congressional District, Thad Viers for S.C. House of Representatives and Joe Defeo for Horry County School Board. Lieutenant governor candidate Bill Connor and superintendent of education candidate Kelly Payne, who had previously been endorsed, also spoke.