Sources tell FITS that Furman University political science professor Brent Nelsen might ditch his Republican gubernatorial ambitions to run for S.C. Superintendent of Education.
Nelsen’s is the third name floated for this position in as many days, as the rumor mill churned out State Rep. Ted Pitts (currently a candidate for Lt. Governor) on Tuesday and “It Kids” teacher Kelly Payne on Wednesday.
Still more names could be coming …
With the 2010 statewide primaries less than a year away, we’re quickly coming up on “sh*t or get off the pot” time for a lot of these races, which means that Pitts and Nelsen probably need to decide which office they’re going to run for pretty soon.
We think at least one will abandon his current effort to focus on this office. After all, the attractiveness of the Superintendent’s race for Republicans has increased exponentially in the days since incumbent Democrat Jim Rex – who wasn’t exactly blowing the doors off the joint – posted surprisingly low fund-raising totals.
We guess that’s what he gets for three years of perpetuating the worst education system in America.
Anyway, sources tell FITS that SCGOP Chairwoman Karen Floyd – who lost to Rex in 2006 (the only Republican to lose statewide) – has made capturing this seat her top priority.
So … who do you want to see get it done for her?
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By Rob July 22, 2009 at 11:58 pm
If I had to pick from those three, I’d lean towards the teacher Kelly Payne, but it would depend on her philosophy and policy ideas.
It makes the state GOP look desperate (when it’s not) to have third-tier candidates for governor (Nelsen) or lackluster candidates for Lt. Gov. (Pitts) jumping from running for one office to another. We have a deep bench in SC Republican politics, so let’s use it.
Another name I heard thrown around was Faye Brown who started the Capers Academy down in Charleston as a school choice proponent. She is on the SCRG board and has an education policy background.
By regg July 23, 2009 at 1:45 pm
seriously, look at these peoples background.
a political science professor at furman. what would he know about our weak school districts and such. hes up in greenville chillin on a beautiful campus.
sorry Mr. Nelson.
then we have a state rep. isnt it kinda the government’s fault the state’s education is garbage?
nope Mr. Pitts.
so that leaves who is most likely the best qualified person, Ms. Kelly Payne.
it only makes sense that a teacher from one of the nations best high school leads the charge in supervising our states education. not only does she know how students act or think, but shes also showd that shes had the ability to change the way students think.
does that not scream “best pick”?
Ms. Payne, you got my vote.
By Alex Hampton July 23, 2009 at 3:29 pm
regg,
Your right Furman is a beautiful campus but that doesn’t mean that he hasn’t seen the poverty in this state. He has spoken several times about his youth and how he grew up as the son of a poor Baptist preacher on a dirt road in the middle of the country. What would he know about poor and weak school districts? Well you should read his campaign blog. He has been to poor schools in Ware Shoals, Johnsonville, and Bamberg-Ernhardt High School among others. He has been to the Corridor of Shame. How many other politicians go to South Carolina’s forgotten places? NONE! Yes, his kids go to a nice public high school in Greenville and yes he does teach at the one of the best universities in South Carolina but he is by no means out of touch with people in poorer counties. Nelsen’s background is in education and yes he teaches at a prestigious school but that DOES NOT mean that he has forgotten his roots or the less fortunate areas of South Carolina.
By Lizzie :] July 23, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Kelly Payne is the best! She knows what she’s talking about, and what our school district needs to be successful! I hope she win! I WILL VOTE FOR HER! :D I’m a new voter, just registered! So I will be voting!
By camdon July 23, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Sounds like he has been working really hard to campaign for gov’t.
Isn’t he running for Gov’t???
What happen???
By RT July 24, 2009 at 9:25 am
Brent Nelsen truly does understand the education needs in this state! He favors local school districts implementing pilot school choice programs in the most desperate areas of our state. He favors making teachers more accountable to their students by ensuring that teachers that aren’t teaching find another profession. He knows that simply throwing money at the problem will not solve the problem.
He is the only candidate who has three children who have been through South Carolina public schools, has his doctorate, and has studied education issues. This is a brillant man who should be our next superintendent.
By Look out, I'm next July 24, 2009 at 3:38 pm
one can only pray Kelly Payne runs so that she can get beat like a drum….
By BIN News Editorial Staff July 24, 2009 at 7:22 pm
None of he above.
Just appoint Howie the King of Voucher Clowns to the job. He’s trying his best to buy control over education in S.C. one elected official at a time. Maybe he’ll donate money he saves to one of the Corridor of Shame schools.
sic(k) willie. You and the other voucher pimps know the real issues facing education in S.C.
Funding, poverty, latent racism and the host of social ills that come with them.
You voucher clowns know that vouchers will do nothing to help those who need help the most. In fact, the voucher scam will only leave them further behind. And you could care less. That makes you a voucher clown.
BIN News Editorial Staff
Flair and Balanced
P.S. Remember, vouchers are dead in S.C. Jakie said so. ;)
By Reaganite2000 July 30, 2009 at 9:33 am
People are calling for her Payne to run on Facebook – she has joined the group, so she must be interested in doing so.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=111618243943