State Rep. Peter McCoy, R-Charleston, is blasting some of his fellow candidates in the 1st Congressional District for not showing up for work today at the Statehouse in Columbia, choosing to campaign instead.

Today is the Republican and Democratic primaries for the open seat.

"It is shocking that the other elected officials in this race neglected their duty to serve their constituents in the General Assembly today to instead promote their own self interests. This is part of the reason why I am running -- I am running to put the next generation above the next election," McCoy said in a statement.

Three other candidates -- Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Berkeley, Rep. Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston, and Rep. Andy Patrick, R-Hilton Head -- serve in the state legislature.

A check by The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette found all three and McCoy have missed fewer than five days at the Statehouse this session.