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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley picked up some political support Monday.

Haley held a news conference at her Washington Street headquarters to announce the backing by former South Carolina First Lady Iris Campbell and her son Mike.

"If we don't have a strong economy and if we don't have the things to create a strong economy, we're not going to be able to do other things and Nikki understands that," Mike Campbell explains.

Haley says the late Governor Carroll Campbell's leadership and legacy is something the Palmetto State needs again, and her push for tort reform will move the state in that direction.

"This is not Republican, Democrat or Independent," Haley says.  "This is going to the pockets of the people and the pockets of the businesses, and the people of businesses in South Carolina cannot afford it, so this will be a bi-partisan effort to fight for people of this state."

Campbell served two terms with a Democratic-controlled Legislature in 1987.  He was credited with bringing BMW jobs to South Carolina and passed away in 2005.

Haley also traveled to the upstate on the campaign trail.

Haley faces democratic candidate Vincent Sheheen and third party candidate Morgan Reeves in the November Election.

For more on the candidates and who each has in their corner, visit our recently redesigned Politics Page.