Changes

During the single term of Governor Beasley, South Carolina had a record-low unemployment rate of 3.5 percent in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713071209/https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SCUR|title=South Carolina Unemployment Rate|publisher=FRED Economic Research|accessdate=October 5, 2021}}</ref>

During the single term of Governor Beasley, South Carolina had a record-low unemployment rate of 3.5 percent in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713071209/https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SCUR|title=South Carolina Unemployment Rate|publisher=FRED Economic Research|accessdate=October 5, 2021}}</ref>

Beasley emphasized his belief in [[Jesus Christ]] and<ref name="Key Races of 1998">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816092638/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/keyraces98/stories/sc093098.htm|publisher''[[The Washington Post]]''|title=S. Carolina Incumbent in Unexpected Tussle|accessdate=May 20, 2020}}</ref> opposed [[gambling]], which was legal in South Carolina until 2000, with video poker casinos established in convenience stores and gasoline stations, a phenomenon described by Beasley as "the crack cocaine of gambling." Because Beasley supported legislation that would outlaw gambling, the video poker industry responded with "Ban Beasley" [[radio]] advertising and billboards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140718/https://apnews.com/381e63a1a51410ee169c115471b27e67|title=Louisiana Shuts Down Video Poker|date=July 1, 1999|accessdate=October 5, 2021}}</ref>

Beasley emphasized his belief in [[Jesus Christ]]<ref name="Key Races of 1998">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816092638/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/keyraces98/stories/sc093098.htm|publisher''[[The Washington Post]]''|title=S. Carolina Incumbent in Unexpected Tussle|accessdate=May 20, 2020}}</ref> and opposed [[gambling]], which was legal in South Carolina until 2000, with video poker casinos established in convenience stores and gasoline stations, a phenomenon described by Beasley as "the crack cocaine of gambling." Because Beasley supported legislation that would outlaw gambling, the video poker industry responded with "Ban Beasley" [[radio]] advertising and billboards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140718/https://apnews.com/381e63a1a51410ee169c115471b27e67|title=Louisiana Shuts Down Video Poker|date=July 1, 1999|accessdate=October 5, 2021}}</ref>

From 1961 until 2000, the flag of the [[Confederate States of America]] flew atop the South Carolina State House.

From 1961 until 2000, the battle flag of the [[Confederate States of America]] flew atop the South Carolina State House. Initially, Beasley supported the practice, but in 1996, he reversed his position, and called for the flag to be relocated to a monument elsewhere on the grounds, costing him many Republican votes in his unsuccessful 1998 reelection bid. The Confederate flag was removed from the capitol dome in 2000, after Beasley left office. It was displayed on a pole in front of the statehouse until it was removed in 2015, at the prompting of Governor Nikki Haley after the Charleston church shooting.<ref name=palmetto>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725003418/https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/20-years-on-ex-sc-gov-beasley-s-prayer-on-flag-answered-confederate-battle-flag/article_4b1d3ee5-1362-5e02-9cef-30a891030b31.htmldate=July 10, 2015|title=20 years on, ex-SC gov Beasley's prayer on flag answered Confederate battle flag finds a new home among artifacts|author=Meg Kinnard|publisher=''Charleston Post and Courier''|accessdate=October 5, 2021}}</ref>

Initially, Beasley supported the practice, but in 1996 reversed his position and called for the flag to be relocated to a monument elsewhere on the grounds. Beasley's position on the Confederate flag cost him many Republican votes in the unsuccessfully 1998 reelection bid. The Confederate flag was removed from the capitol dome in 2000 after Beasley left office. It was displayed on a pole in front of the statehouse until it was removed in 2015 at the prompting of Governor Nikki Haley from the grounds after a church shooting.<ref name=palmetto>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725003418/https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/20-years-on-ex-sc-gov-beasley-s-prayer-on-flag-answered-confederate-battle-flag/article_4b1d3ee5-1362-5e02-9cef-30a891030b31.htmldate=July 10, 2015|title=20 years on, ex-SC gov Beasley's prayer on flag answered Confederate battle flag finds a new home among artifacts|author=Meg Kinnard|publisher=''Charleston Post and Courier''|accessdate=October 5, 2021}}</ref>

Beasley also faced allegations of having an affair with his former press secretary, Ginny Wolfe, but he disavowed the claim, saying, "I can tell you right now we [his wife the former Mary Wood Payne] have both been faithful to each other 100 percent."<ref name="Key Races of 1998"/>

Beasley also faced allegations of having an affair with his former press secretary, Ginny Wolfe, but he disavowed the claim, saying, "I can tell you right now we [his wife the former Mary Wood Payne] have both been faithful to each other 100 percent."<ref name="Key Races of 1998"/>