Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The state chapter of a national business group has endorsed South Carolina Republican gubernatorial nominee Nikki Haley.

South Carolina's chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business endorsed Haley on Wednesday at news conferences in Greenville, Columbia, and Florence.

The endorsement of the small business group and its nearly 5,000 members comes three months after the state Chamber of Commerce decided not to endorse Haley.

Haley says lawmakers must listen to its small businesses.

The director of the business group's South Carolina chapter is the former executive director of the state Republican Party.

Also on Wednesday, the group and its political action committee endorsed Republican attorney general nominee Alan Wilson.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)