Nelsen Running For Superintendent
Having successfully milked his Quixotic gubernatorial bid into an “elegant sufficiency” of free publicity, Furman (S.C.) University political science Professor Brent Nelsen has decided to abandon it and run for State Superintendent of Education instead.
This is obviously no surprise, at least not for those of you who read FITS.
If not surprising, though, is Nelsen’s decision indicative of the all-too common political gamesmanship that ends up elevating the personal aspirations of political office-seekers over the public duties and responsibilities of the offices they seek?
We shall see … ultimately, we’ll judge Nelsen by the policy he promotes.
In making the switch, Nelsen becomes the first Republican to announce his candidacy for the Superintendent’s race, although the field is far from complete.
Dutch Fork High School teacher Kelly Payne is contemplating a bid, and numerous Republicans have urged S.C. Rep. Ted Pitts to take a look at the race. Pitts is currently running in the crowded GOP Lt. Governor’s primary.
Meanwhile, no one is quite sure what incumbent Democratic Superintendent Jim Rex is planning on running for – if he runs for any office at all.
Rex has done absolutely nothing in office except perpetuate South Carolina’s failed status quo – which is probably one reason why he raised a paltry $36,000 in the most recent fund-raising quarter, sparking rumors that he is stepping down from his post in 2010.
Comments
By Upstate Conservative on July 28th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I long for the day we see real reform in SC’s education system. The education lottery seems to funnel a lot of money into higher ed, but not all students are college-bound.
By Lizzie :] on July 28th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
If Kelly runs, she WILL win :D She has my vote! Go Kelly! :]
By Joker on July 28th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
“Rex has done absolutely nothing in office except perpetuate South Carolina’s failed status quo – which is probably one reason why he raised a paltry $36,000 in the most recent fund-raising quarter, sparking rumors that he is stepping down from his post in 2010.”
I love how Rex has done “absolutely nothing in office” – but you never mention that Sanford has done absolutely nothing in TWO terms.
By BIN News Editorial Staff on August 2nd, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Dear Joker.
Sanfraud is in good company. None of our Constitutional Officers have done anything in the last TWO terms. Frankly, they have not done much in the last TWO HUNDRED years. At least the SC Department of Education is trying to help all children in SC. The voucher pimps are only trying to help a few.
BIN News Editorial Staff
Flair and Balanced