Jim Rex Has “Ambition Confusion”
S.C. Superintendent of Education Jim Rex – whose anemic classroom results and pathetic fund-raising totals have many (rightfully) questioning his political future – apparently hasn’t figured out whether he will run for reelection to his current job or mount a campaign for governor.
We know, we know, it’s confusing … just ask Republican Brent Nelsen, another candidate with virtually no money in the bank who was running for one statewide office before switching to another.
Seriously, it’s like these offices are “toys” to these people. At least to Nelsen’s credit he hasn’t broken one yet …
Anyway, in spite of his poor performance and abysmal financial positioning, Rex does have a Democratic heavyweight raising money for him, and La Socialista (a.k.a. The State newspaper) shamelessly promoted his candidacy with a big “exclusive” story in today’s paper.
Tell us, when was the last time you saw a candidate with only $9,000 in the bank get that kind of mainstream media love? Yeah, never.
Of course, Rex is likely to get a boost on the money front from Democratic PR operative Bud Ferillo, who is holding an event on behalf of Rex’s Superintendent of Education campaign on August 11.
Didn’t get your invite? Here’s our copy …
If he’s really in, Rex will likely find the governor’s race tough sledding. He’ll have the benefit of statewide name ID, but let’s face it – that’s a double-edged sword in his position.
Plus he’ll be up against two attractive candidates (or so say the FITS gals), State Sen. Vincent Sheheen (D-Kershaw), who is currently the leading Democratic fund-raiser, and Mullins McLeod, a tort lawyer from Charleston. Also in the race are State Sen. Robert Ford (D-Charleston) and House Minority Leader Harry Ott, who is reportedly planning on announcing his bid later this month.
Also, a “mystery candidate” (rumored to be lobbyist Dwight Drake) is reportedly going to jump into the race soon, too.
We reported over two months ago that Rex had decided to run for governor, but then like everyone else in South Carolina our jaws hit the floor when his most recent campaign finance report showed him raising only $36,000 with $9,000 on hand.
If he’s going to be a credible candidate for either office, that sort of dismal effort isn’t going to cut it.
Comments
By calhoun fawls on August 6th, 2009 at 2:56 am
Put a fork in Rex, he is done. He won’t run for re-election or any other office. Wait and see. He has pissed off too many Democrats.
By SAY WHAT? on August 6th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Fawls, it’s not just democrats either. He has also pissed off every teacher in the state along with their family members. That’s thousands of voters just waiting to work against him. One pissed off teacher equals 8 votes agaisnt him in this family and that is without working on our friends to vote with us and against him. I agree, he is done insofar as statewide office goes.
By Clay Hambright on August 6th, 2009 at 8:22 am
I’ll if it only takes $9k. I will hold schools/teachers accountable. Instead of a listening tour- we wil make it a “Doing” tour!!!!
I would lift the restictions on the webbased Charter schools- Everyone in SC should have access. Hey- maybe even parents could use the site to get an education.
By Clay Hambright on August 6th, 2009 at 8:24 am
I’ll run*– I would need an editor- anyone available?
By Freddie Guy on August 6th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Give it up Rex, this one is in the bag!
You may want to spend your time and money protecting your current turf!
A little polling to find out how you stand would not be a bad idea (hint, hint)…
Fred
By liz on August 7th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Here is the deal… all the R candidates for Governor are tied up. They are all involved in something pretty bad.
Rex… well he is on the Board of Visitors at the Citadel which apparently is a big FAMILY game player now.
That’s horrible too because the older Citadel grads, like my 89 year old father are very disgusted at what they see as a radical take over of an old institution…. but alas…. this C Street Family is changing the world through their sick TRANSFORMATIONS. Big word ya’ll – look it up.
So Rex is trying to keep the Family in the Governor’s office, and it’s truly that simple.
You guys know the stupid people in this state that vote. They never look at the candidate, only the letter behind their name.
I plan to make sure from now on, that the letter *C* is exposed on all of these miserable abusive FAMILY members.
And betcha a dollar that the Governor has a big piece of paper called a TRUST INSTRUMENT in his pocket RIGHT NOW….
and when will he MAN TO MAN pass it to Joe Biden who is conveniently in Charleston????
I don’t know when…. but Mark…. I am watching! Eyes are everywhere.