Getting re-elected isn't the only problem Democratic State Rep. Anne Peterson-Hutto is facing these days.

Her finances have come under scrutiny from several sources, including the Blogland, and recently, more information has come to light, adding extravagant legislative expenditures and at least one reported judgment for credit card debt to two foreclosure proceedings for the same property on James Island.

A report by the South Carolina Policy Council's "The Nerve" website reports Hutto's legislative expenses were among the highest for members of the State House, a level of spending far exceeding most first-term legislators and more comparable to senior State House members who hold leadership roles and might therefore be able to justify higher expenses.

In 2009, she ranked 7 out of 124 members and in 2010, she ranked 28 out of 124, often spending more than House members who chaired committees and had more responsibilities to keep up with.

According to sources, Hutto was told to back off the spending after last year's comparative binge. Concerns were raised that this and other acts of misconduct were endangering her re-election prospects in her GOP-leaning House district.

Hutto's re-election problems are serious, but her willingness to spend taxpayer money on herself, as well as burden others with her financial mismanagement should serve as caution signs that - if re-elected - she'll have other priorities than representing the residents of House District 115.