Katon Dawson will not seek another term as SCGOP Chairman, sources close to the state party tell FITS.
He will announce his decision at a GOP gathering tomorrow.
Dawson – who was defeated by former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele last week in his quest to become Chairman of the Republican National Committee – is also likely to make an endorsement in the race to succeed him, although our sources declined to say who he was favoring.
“Don’t ask that, it’s not time for that,” one party activist told us. “Tomorrow is Katon’s day. It’s his time to shine and say goodbye.”
Despite spending hundreds of thousands of SCGOP dollars in his quest for the national chairmanship, Dawson remains popular among S.C. Republicans.
In fact, he received a letter yesterday from seventy-six of the 89 members on the SCGOP executive committee urging him to run again.
“We have been truly proud to serve with you, and we are proud of our accomplishments together on behalf of the conservative Republican cause in South Carolina,” the letter reads.
Wait … there have been accomplishments on behalf of the “conservative” Republican cause in this state?
Yeah, we’re gonna have to go with not so much on that one.
Still, Dawson’s endorsement would have to rate among the most coveted in this insider’s election – which will be held in May of this year.
Dawson has led the GOP’s “House Divided” since 2002, when he replaced current S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster.
His future plans are unclear, but the rumor is he covets at U.S. Senate seat.
By Ron February 7, 2009 at 7:41 am
Will, of course everyone’s question now is “which senate seat does he covet? If it’s Shamnesty “light in the loafers” Graham, I might support the effort just to get rid of Graham. Come on Will, what’s the scoop?
By Katon's the man February 7, 2009 at 8:01 am
Katon has done a tremendous job for the SCGOP. Henry McMaster almost bankrupted the party. Katon negotiated a much smaller FEC fine from the McMaster term.
You never mention the stupidity of the McMaster term.
By Sam February 7, 2009 at 9:10 am
“Its all about me Katon Dawson” and Nancy Graham…what a pair.
I dispair just thinking that those tow have such influence in “conservative circle”.
By Karen supporter February 7, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Run Karen Run!
By Ron February 7, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Who’s Karen?
By Bill February 7, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Dawson says that running for RNC Chair was the “hardest work he has ever doneâ€.
Proof positive of these clowns that run our party are in it for themselves. It would have been great to hear him say winning GOP seats in SC was the hardest thing, or building a conservative base was the hardest thing, or any number of things that benefited us but DID NOT BENEFIT HIM!!!
These people, our leaders, seek glory and fame and power at our expense…and we treat them like heroes…but they are bums.
Katon was in this for Katon.
By Tradd February 7, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Sic, Time to get off the sidelines. Here is your chance to promote the change that we need for South Carolina. Take over and run all of those RIONs out of Columbia for good.
Sic for change. Sic for SCGOP Chairman
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' ... February 7, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Meanwhile, the guy who beat him for the RNC top spot is having fresh problems of his own: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/politics/08steele.html?hp
By BIN News Editorial Staff February 7, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Dawson smaww-son. Karen smarron. Who cares. The only chance republicrats have in the next election cycle is a fresh new face. Mandeee for gub’er’nator!
She may not be able to spell “sporogenous,” but we doubt anyone else can.
She may not have passed the bar, but “wink, wink” that’s easy to fix.
Get to work, sic(k) willie.
You like to brag you helped markie-mark. Can you help Mandeee?
BIN News Editorial Staff
Flair and Balanced