Hayes facing opposition from petition Tea Party candidate

For the first time in 20 years, veteran State Senator Wes Hayes of Rock Hill faces opposition in his re-election bid.

State election officials have notified Tea Party candidate Joe Thompson that he submitted enough valid signatures to have his name on the November ballot.

Hayes says having opposition is not much of a change for him because he tries to stay in election mode all of the time.

We asked Hayes if he was surprised to have the opposition.

Hayes says he wants to earn the voters support rather than having them simply vote straight party Republican.