By Leon G. Russ HOMETOWN NEWS lruss@hometown-news.com Eric Hayler got his campaign off and running with a formal declaration of his candidacy for South Carolina House Seat 37 in front of a small group of supporters, family and friends at Fatz Café in Boiling Springs on Monday, March 31. William “Griff” Griffith who ran as the Democratic candidate against Congressman Bob Inglis in 2006 introduced Hayler. Griffith recalled meeting Hayler during his campaign and telling his wife, “I just met the most inspiring young man I’ve met in quite awhile.” He explained Hayler was working to combat world hunger and “you just don’t see that in young people today.” Griffith told those gathered Hayler was “imminently qualified, extremely bright and motivated” and would be a great representative. Hayler explained his desire to serve came from two relatively recent experiences, the birth of his daughter Zola and his time spent helping out Hurricane Katrina victims in Mississippi. Speaking of his efforts in Mississippi, Hayler said, “I felt like I made a difference. Ever since then I’ve tried to help people.” He made it emphatically clear that he is “against the school consolidation bill proposed by Ralph Davenport.” Hayler, 45, works at BMW as a quality specialist. He spoke of being a “Lean Sigma Six Black Belt” and explained the term at BMW means “improving quality with less.” He urged those gathered to think about “how we could save costs and expand quality in government” were that saying to be brought to bear in the public sector. He pointed to the changes at the Department of Motor Vehicles as an example of what can done to ensure state government is more efficient. While proud to be a Democrat, he said he recognizes “that in order to accomplish anything you have to work across party lines. I promise you I will look to work with the other side as much as I can. I will look for co-sponsors of any legislation I bring to the table.” He stated he’d be “a true team player” with other elected officials from the Upstate when in Columbia. He vowed to be tougher on crime, work for tougher DUI laws, work to improve roadways and infrastructure, and said the state should focus on preventative care and medicines when it comes to healthcare since any type of massive overhaul of the healthcare system would have to come from Washington. Hayler stated he’s not concerned with who emerges on the Republican side, incumbent Ralph Davenport or challenger Steve Parker. “I see both of those guys coming from politics-as-usual, so I think it won’t matter” which of them wins the GOP primary race. He added, “I haven’t heard many new ideas coming from those guys.” He urged everyone to visit his website at www.erichayler.com. Although he has no primary competition he vowed to begin campaigning soon. Hayler is married to Mary Ellen, daughter Zola is 3 and he received his B.A. and advanced degree in chemistry from Rutgers University.