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Chalk, a businessman in his third term representing District 123, took some criticism from rivals Kate Keep, a travel consultant and former Hilton Head Town Council member, and Andy Patrick, a former Secret Service agent who runs a security and risk-management firm on the island.
The forum drew about 150 people to Aunt Chiladas Easy Street Cafe. It was organized by the Hilton Head Island First Monday Republican Lunch Group.
Summaries of the candidates' remarks follow in the order in which they spoke:
ANDY PATRICK
Patrick said his priorities include smaller government, comprehensive tax reform and public safety.
"Government spending is out of control" because of lawmakers, Patrick said.
Patrick criticized Chalk's vote to grant tax incentives to retail developers such as The Sembler Co., which plans the 280-acre Okatie Crossings shopping center in Beaufort and Jasper counties.
Patrick considers it bad policy for the state to grant incentives for retail endeavors. "I certainly would have asked questions," Patrick said.
KATE KEEP
Keep, who has helped to organize Tea Party activities in the area, pledged to continue pushing for limited government. She bemoaned the time lawmakers spend fixing previously enacted policies that didn't work out.
"What we really need in Columbia is a first-class manure detector," Keep said. "I want to be your watchdog."
She also criticized Chalk's support for retail incentives, which she called "far afield from the job of government."
"What could be dumber than giving tax incentives to retail development?" Keep said. "It produces no new permanent jobs. All it does is shift consumerism."
She favors dropping the state's industrial property tax rate to lure more small and mid-sized businesses to South Carolina.
Keep also expressed disappointment that Chalk remains on the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee, a post generally given to new lawmakers, she said.
RICHARD CHALK
Chalk defended his conservative credentials.
"We have got to start pushing back against federal authority, and that's something I've been doing," Chalk said.
He said he meets regularly with other local officials and decided to keep his committee assignment until he is appointed to the influential Ways and Means committee.
Chalk said Monday he now views the proposed tax breaks for Sembler "excessive" and would support a less generous tax break, he said.
"Sometimes, you have to play the game to get the jobs, unfortunately," Chalk said.
