Haley Cuts Primary From Budget

Republican Gov. Nikki Haley has vetoed a bill that would have funded the 2012 South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary.

In a letter to legislators, Haley said her fellow Republicans can foot the bill on roughly $680,000 primary, and simply contract with the state to hold the election.

"I believe private dollars are the appropriate way to fund a partisan election," Haley wrote. "The bottom line is this: South Carolina will host the First in the South Presidential Primary in 2012."

The decision isn't a surprise. Haley signaled last week that she favored a privately funded but government-run primary. Prior to 2008, the poltical parties funded and conducted the elections.

South Carolina’s primary brings rush of attention, candidates and campaign spending to the state. In 2000, South Carolina voters selected George W. Bush over Sen. John McCain, a victory hailed as a turning point in the primary.

Haley said the South Carolina Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice have cleared a primary run by the State Election Commission but funded by the Republican Party.

"The South Carolina Republican Party is committed to having a spectacular and successful primary in early 2012," said GOP Chairman Chad Connelly in a previous statement. "On multiple fronts, I am working with our legal team, the State Election Commission, legislators, and the Governor's Office to protect it."