Politicians in a state where the Confederate battle flag still flies above the Statehouse will be asked to sign a pledge not to use race to win supporters.
Democratic Party Chairman Ronnie Maxwell and Republican Party Chairman Henry McMaster said Monday they will ask candidates to promise to "refrain from using race or color - whether by words, action or implication."The pledge was the brainchild of Jesse Washington Jr., executive director of the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council.
"What we're doing is taking it to the higher moral ground," he said. "We're going to fight tough and hard, but in South Carolina, we're going to fight with dignity and respect for one another as South Carolinians."
The pledges, which appear to be the first of their kind in the nation, carry no official punishment for violators. But people who sign will be held to their word, the chairmen said.
"If someone pledges to abide by the code and then does not do so, then there will certainly be questions about their honor and integrity that I think will be very important to voters," McMaster said.
Racial politics have been a major part of South Carolina history.
Just last month the state held special elections in districts that federal judges ordered realigned because they were drawn along racial lines.
It's history that also has some skeptical about the pledges.
"When it gets down to it and someone's political life is on the line, whether or not they will pay attention to the pledge will be questionable," political observer Earl Black said.