The five candidates running in South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary race take the stage tonight in Charleston, SC for the contest’s first debate. The event  will be moderated by Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brezinski.

Two candidates participating in tonight’s event, Attorney General Henry McMaster and Congressman Gresham Barrett, have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, and in doing so have made a committment to South Carolina families and employers that they will oppose any and all efforts to raise taxes if elected governor.

Americans for Tax Reform asks the three other candidates participating in tonight’s debate to join Barrett and McMaster in taking tax hikes off the table.

During her announcement of the debate last month, South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd remarked that her party "has a winning message in South Carolina, one of cutting taxes, limiting government and expanding individual liberty." The best way for prospective nominees to show that they will carry this message into the November’s election is by signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Barrett and McMaster have have shown great leadership in doing so. ATR urges all other candidates to make the same committment during tonight’s debate.

Follow tonight’s debate at: http://www.imarepublicantoo.com/