The hits just keep on coming for Andre Bauer. We just sent out this email to our grassroots supporters on learning the news that GOP Gov candidate Andre Bauer has hired GOP political operative Chip Saltsman to work with his campaign. Not familiar with Chip? Keep reading...
Rasmussen has a new poll out that shows the three remaining Democratic candidates for governor are neck and neck heading into the June primary:
Robert Ford - 12%
Jim Rex - 16%
Vincent Sheheen - 16%
Some other candidate - 15%
Not sure - 37% MoE +/- 5%
Similar to recent polls by PPP and Winthrop, today's Rasmussen numbers suggest Ford, Rex, and Sheheen remain largely unknown to voters across the Palmetto State. With less than three months to go before voters head to the polls, there's still no clear front-runner in the Democratic gubernatorial race.
Looking ahead, it's likely that the candidates' fundraising numbers will serve as a better indicator of strength as primary day approaches. With all three men struggling with low statewide name recognition, the primary victor will be the candidate who not only develops a memorable message, but also the guy who can afford to buy the most ad time to reach blue voters in the weeks leading up to June 8.
"Today I am announcing that I am withdrawing from the campaign for South Carolina Governor," Drake said in a statement.
"I got into this race because I believed that South Carolina's families deserved much more than they were getting from their Governor. We are facing the toughest times in a generation, and we can only take that on with dedicated, experienced leadership that is focused on putting our people back to work and building a better future for our kids. I have ambitious ideas for getting our state back on track, and I have the knowledge and experience to put those ideas into action.
"But a statewide campaign for office is not just about these things. It also requires resources - campaign dollars to run in a competitive primary and in a competitive general election.
"I am deeply grateful for - and humbled by - the support I have received from my fellow South Carolinians in the seven months since I began my campaign. As I have put pen to paper in recent days, it's become clear to me that I am not going to be able to marshal the resources needed to run the competitive, substantive campaign that I set out to run."
The Columbia attorney and lobbyist's departure from the race essentially leaves the Democratic gubernatorial contest a head-to-head match up between State Superintendent Jim Rex and State Senator Vincent Sheheen (D-Camden). State Senator Robert Ford (D-Charleston) is also running, though he currently lacks the statewide name recognition Rex enjoys or the financial resources of Sheheen, who is currently leading the money race on the Dem side.
The three remaining candidates will face off in the Democratic Primary on June 8.
Today Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sen. Vincent Sheheen (D-Camden) announced endorsements from 40 of his peers in the General Assembly.
"I'm grateful to my friends and colleagues in the legislature for standing with me and supporting me today," said Sheheen. "As governor, I'll work with them to tackle the many challenges facing our state."
Sheheen's announcement comes days after one of his primary rivals, Superintendent of Education Jim Rex, unveiled his own impressive list of high profile supporters from the state's education community. With less than 100 days to go before SC Democrats head to the polls, both campaigns appear to be turning to their natural bases to pump up support for their guy on primary day.
Below is the long list of legislators endorsing Sheheen today:
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dwight Drake has picked up a big endorsement from one of South Carolina's longest-serving mayors.
Columbia Mayor Bob Coble announced Monday he's backing Drake in this year's governor's race.
"Today I am happy to announce my support and endorsement of Dwight Drake, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor," said Mayor Coble. "As a resident of Columbia for forty years, Dwight understands the challenges facing the midlands, and his experience working for Governors John West and Dick Riley makes Dwight the only candidate who can do the job of Governor from Day One. The challenges we face demand that we have a Governor who needs no on-the-job training, and I am proud to endorse and support Dwight Drake as that candidate."
Drake, a Columbia attorney and lobbyist, is facing a fierce five-way primary race this June. Also competing for the Democratic nomination (and the endorsements) are State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex, Camden Sen. Vincent Sheheen, Charleston Sen. Robert Ford, and Lowcountry attorney Mullins McLeod.
Thoughts on the significance of Coble's endorsement?
Like you, I am disgusted by Lt. Governor Andre Bauer's comments comparing poor school children to stray animals. It amazes me how some Republican politicians who campaign on Christian values continue to do and say such unchristian things.
Blaming hungry children for their economic situation and threatening to withhold food and nutrition is just plain wrong. It's much more than a poor choice of words, and all South Carolinians, Democrats and Republicans, should join us in denouncing Bauer's divisive comments.
I've decided to make this negative into something positive and I need your help.
Thursday, January 28, South Carolina Republicans are paying as much as $500 each to watch Andre Bauer and the other GOP gubernatorial candidates debate in Charleston. While they're forking over big bucks to their political party, I'll be across the street at Vickery's collecting food for the Lowcountry Food Bank to help the very kids Bauer compared to stray animals.
I hope that some of the Republicans attending and participating in the debate will also contribute, but we need your help, especially if you live in the Charleston Area, to ensure success.
Will you help us by stopping by Vickery's anytime from 5:30 P.M. until 6:30 P.M. Thursday and donating nonperishable food?
Join me Thursday to help deserving children and their families -
· Food drive for needy families
· Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 5:30PM until 6:30 PM
· Vickery's at 15 Beaufain Street in Charleston
Contact Andrew for more information or questions at mcleodforgovernor@gmail.com
State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex finally turned in his campaign disclosure report today and let's just say, it's not good news for South Carolina's only statewide-elected Democrat. Rex had the dubious distinction of being the only Democratic gubernatorial candidate to spend more money than he brought in, finishing last place behind Senator Robert Ford in total cash on hand. Below is a full rundown on the Democratic candidates' fourth quarter fundraising efforts.
Vincent Sheheen: Contributions: $222,673
Expenditures: $100,919
Cash on Hand: $749,029
Burn Rate: 45%
The State Senator from Camden was the first Democrat to jump into the 2010 field, giving him an early advantage in the money race. Sheheen's first staff hire was Dem Money Honey Ashley Medbery, who quickly made fundraising the campaign's top priority. In the fourth quarter, the campaign began investing in outside help, spending $10k on the fundraising firm Blanton & Associates and $16k on marketing with BANCO/Bannister Company. Now eleven months since launching his exploratory committee, Team Sheheen has consistently finished first in the Democratic money race each quarter and enjoys the largest campaign war chest heading into this spring's crowded primary.
State Senator Vincent Sheheen (D-Camden) landed a major endorsement in his race for governor Wednesday.
Standinding outside the historic William Aiken House in downtown Charleston, Mayor Joseph P. Riley announced he plans to back Sheheen for governor.
“Vincent Sheheen is the kind of dynamic leader we need to get our state back on the right track," said Riley. "He understands the issues that matter in Charleston and all across South Carolina and knows how to bring people together, regardless of political party, to solve problems and move our state forward.”
Riley's endorsement is a big get for the Camden Democrat who has been working hard to raise his profile outside the Midlands. And landing the endorsement of the popular nine-term Charleston Mayor should go a long way in helping Sheheen increase his name recognition across the Lowcountry.
State Senator Vincent Sheheen (D-Camden) announced today that his team raised over $222,672 last quarter, bringing the campaign's total for the election cycle to over $958,000.
According to a release from the campaign, the Sheheen Team also met its goal of reaching 2,010 contributors by 2010.
"It is incredible to think that 2,010 people have joined our effort to restore leadership and civility at the state house," said Sen. Sheheen. "Our campaign is about people, and the amount of money we have raised coupled with the number of donors shows that South Carolinians are ready for a leader who has a plan for responsible government that will help to grow jobs in our state."
This is the fourth consecutive quarter the Sheheen for Governor campaign has raised over $220,000 -- a sign the Camden Democrat will be a financial force to reckon with in this year's crowded blue primary.
December 17, 2009
News Release - For Immediate Release
Democratic Leaders Endorse Mullins McLeod
Today, a group of Democratic Party leaders from all over South Carolina announced their support for Mullins McLeod's candidacy for Governor.
McLeod, who has been the only Democratic candidate willing to speak out on major issues like health care reform, has been running an aggressive campaign focusing on job creation, education, and reform. McLeod has already issued a detailed plan to create jobs in both the short and long term and has released a specific plan to curb the influence of special interest lobbyists at the State House.
McLeod said that he is humbled to have the support of these leaders. "I'm honored that my campaign for change has earned the support of such strong and respected leaders. I look forward to working with them during the campaign and beyond to ensure that South Carolina is never again near first in unemployment and near last in education," he said.
State Representative Leon Stavrinakis noted McLeod's experience in the private sector as someone who has consistently fought for working families. "Mullins represents the kind of new leadership South Carolina needs. He'll use his experience to cut through politics as usual and make change happen," said Stavrinakis.
Bamberg County Democratic Party Chairman St. Clair Guess III said that McLeod's candidacy is refreshing. "I am enthusiastically supporting Mullins McLeod. He is all about reliability, a quality that has long vanished from the governor's office," Guess said.
This release of supporters by the McLeod campaign is the first in a series of such announcements over the next few months.
Below is the complete list of Democratic leaders endorsing McLeod today:
Elaine Gentry - Greenwood County Democratic Party Chairwoman
St. Clair Guess III - Bamberg County Democratic Party Chairman
Curtis Inabinett - Charleston County Council, former member of the SC House of Representatives
William McIntosh - Former Dorchester County Democratic Party Chairman
Walt McLeod - SC House of Representatives
Victor Rawl - Charleston County Council, former member of the SC House of Representatives
It couldn't have happened at a better (or worst) time.
The South Carolina Democratic Party held their Grand Strand Reception in Pawleys Island amidst hard times and a huge uncertainty along the coast. However, the message was plain and clear from each candidate in attendance: We must elect a Democratic governor in 2010.
Gubernatorial candidates - minus state Sen. Robert Ford - were drumming it up amongst donors and activists alike. In talking with the people in attendance, their message could have been broadcasted all over the state. It's a message that people need to hear. Republicans do not care for you in South Carolina. I, personally, was going through different motions in head.
I guess I was taken back a bit - to when I held a reception on Pawleys Island right before the January presidential debate held in Myrtle Beach. The emotion, the excitement and the need for something different was similar.
People tonight came back together. They realize what is in store for this state if we elect Republicans yet again. It was like I've been here before.
But there was something different. There was a candidate who became my STRONG second. Someone that I feel is possibly related to me - somewhere. I didn't feel this during the presidential campaign. I never had a strong second after John Edwards left the race. But there is one in this race.
Cindi Scoppe made some minor news yesterday during an interview with Michele Norris for NPR's All Things Considered, noting that The State has not called for Governor Sanford to resign because of "concerns" over LG Andre Bauer's assuming the office.
Tim Griffin, a Karl Rove trainee and mud slinger for Bush’s 2000 and 2004 campaigns, has been paid more than $36,000 by Gresham Barrett for Governor, according to SC State Ethics Commission filings made by the campaign. Here’s a list of the payments:
Griffin Public Affairs LLC, 07/01/2009, Political Consulting, $9,375.00
Griffin Public Affairs LLC, 07/07/2009, Political Consulting, $23,871.00
Griffin Public Affairs LLC, 08/06/2009, Political Consulting, $3,537.50
Tim Griffin is a Republican opposition research specialist who gained notoriety for the famous Bush smears in the 2000 and 2004 campaigns. Griffin also played a key role in Bush’s Attorneygate scandal, in which Karl Rove colluded with Bush to fire several U.S. Attorneys for failing to pursue politically-motivated prosecutions of Democratic political leaders. The scandal and investigation remain ongoing.
My experiences have taught me what it takes to build successful economic efforts in South Carolina. So, like many others who are concerned about the current economic condition of our state, I am deeply embarrassed by a Governor who has been completely missing in action on the jobs front. At this point, our Governor isn't just absent in our economic development efforts; he's actually an impediment that we have to work around in order to get anything done. South Carolina's families deserve better than the struggling economy and soaring unemployment that we're experiencing. That's why I am running for Governor: to get South Carolina back in the jobs business and to get South Carolina working again
I feel so strongly about jobs because more and better jobs are the answer to South Carolina's problems. With a Governor who is truly engaged and focused on creating more jobs and growing businesses, we can help address our fiscal problems, improve our schools, and strengthen our families. And I wholeheartedly subscribe to the old saying that a good job is the best government program. South Carolinians should know that as Governor, I will wake up in the morning thinking about how to create jobs, and I will go to bed every night thinking about how to create jobs. There is no more important and fundamental issue in this election - and indeed for the future of our state - than jobs. And as Governor, no one will work harder than me to bring jobs to South Carolina.
The next Governor needs to lay out a wide-ranging agenda for immediate improvement and long-term transformation of South Carolina's economy. Today I released the initial installment of the major economic action items that I think are necessary for our people to have not only the hope but the reality of better jobs for a better future. The complete plan is available on my web site. Read the full entry to see the top line bullets of my plan.
News Release - For Immediate Release
McLeod: South Carolina Needs Our Own 'Rural Rescue Plan' To Create Jobs
Over the last few weeks, Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Mullins McLeod has released an idea-of-the-week for job creation in South Carolina. South Carolina has been mired in record unemployment for years and McLeod has vowed to make job creation the central focus of his administration.
This week, McLeod proposed developing South Carolina's own 'rural rescue plan' for economically-depressed rural South Carolina. The plan would:
· Expand the state's rural business fund.
· Expand broadband Internet access in rural areas.
· Rebuild failing infrastructures like roads and bridges, and plan for the future with high-speed rails.
· Promote local agriculture and launch a strong campaign encouraging South Carolinians to "buy local" to help our family farms.
· Take full advantage of existing federal initiatives to revitalize rural communities.
"I grew up in Colleton County and I know that South Carolina's rural counties are suffering the most from this jobs crisis yet they've mostly been ignored," said McLeod. "The same old approaches aren't going to solve this problem. It's time for something new and something bold. I'll create our own rural rescue plan in South Carolina to create jobs and bring real opportunity to our families."
