Pitts Headed To Afghanistan, Out Of Lt. Governor’s Race
S.C. Rep. Ted Pitts is trading political “incoming” for the possibility of the real thing, choosing to abandon his Lt. Governor’s campaign – in fact, his entire political career – to deploy with his National Guard unit in Afghanistan. In so doing, Pitts becomes the third state lawmaker to be called to active duty in recent years, following in the footsteps of former S.C. Minority Leader James Smith and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Harrison.
Pitts, who is in the real estate business, relayed the decision Tuesday afternoon to his colleague S.C. Rep. Nathan Ballentine – who wrote about it on his blog Nathan’s News.
“I knew Ted joined the SC National Guard after 9/11 but didn’t know he’d actually get the opportunity to fight the war on terror, overseas,” Ballentine wrote.
Additionally, Pitts told Ballentine – and later The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper – that he was giving up his House seat as well.
A medical officer with the 178th Field Artillery, Pitts will leave for Afghanistan in January.
We’ve obviously had our differences with Pitts in the past, but when we sat down with him following a particularly vitriolic post we wrote about him, the guy’s demeanor impressed the hell out of us. He was calm, cool and collected … and it was obvious he didn’t take any of this stuff personally. Pitts has also been a better-than-average vote when it comes to fiscal conservative issues, although his advocacy for a bogus “public school choice” plan obviously didn’t help efforts to pass a legitimate parental choice legislation.
Politics aside, though, Pitts’ decision is truly admirable. He is putting his country first, something that you see precious little of these days – especially among politicians.
We’ll obviously be praying for his safety – and for his wife, Christina, and their two children.
Pitts’ decision leaves three Republicans in the race for Lt. Governor, Florence County Councilman Ken Ard, Orangeburg attorney Bill Connor and Charleston Rep. Tim Scott.
Connor, incidentally, has served previously in Afghanistan.
Comments
By Stupid Stupid Stupid on October 6th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Looks like it’s a two man race now: Ard and Scott.
Connor is a great guy but his is twisting in the wind.
By Ladybug on October 6th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
I’m truly grateful for Connor and Pitt’s service to our country and I appreciate what a hard decision it was for them and their families to make, but tell me this- Sic, is Connor still paying you to write nice things about him?
By Red Bank Bar on October 7th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Bull Connor: REMF says it all
By Ha, Okay. on October 7th, 2009 at 10:08 am
This race is gonna get interesting.
By HammerheadSC on October 7th, 2009 at 10:49 am
all for a post that does hardly anything. I do wish Pitts well as he serves
By FloGOP on October 7th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Wow, the Cahaly Clowns are out in full sleazy force on this one.
Robert and Katie (Ken Ard campaign staff for those that don’t see the obvious)are you anxious to continue attacking the Scott campaign with your gay accusations so trying to get Connor out of the way?
The fact is Connor appears to be the leader in this race. His support with the voters in this state is obvious from his disclosures. He has multiples compared to the other two remaining candidates. Ard has his cronies from Florence.
You people (Ard campaign) are scum to use this announcement by Ted Pitts as a political opportunity to attack Bill Connor, the only other person in this race that knows what the Pitts family is going through right now. You’ve tried unsuccessfully in that respect everytime Connor’s name gets mentioned and now stoop even lower. You’re taking a time when we should all be saying prayers for the Pitts family and turning it into a slimefest.
That’s certainly not surprising coming from Robert Cahaly but one would think Katie doesn’t want the same reputation for sleaziness that Robert already has.
Ken Ard, you are not standing in the backroom of a feed store making a deal for a vote or donation. This is the State of South Carolina and the nasty tactics of your team are not welcome. Those days left with bell bottoms.
as far as the REMF comment, you’re certainly showing your ignorance in that respect. The evals I’ve read certainly laud Mr Connor for his service in the military, especially in a hostile zone. This is especially galling coming from a campaign for someone who never served, quit school, sold out and did his best to raise taxes among MANY other things.
And by the way Robert, I hear Tim’s more than a little upset that you tried to point the blame in his direction on the wolfereports site.
By Joshua on October 7th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Wow. Ted Pitts does an extremely honorable thing, making a huge personal and professional sacrifice to defend our nation, and the Ard Camp can’t wait 24 hours out of respect to start hammering away with negative personal attacks at the only war veteran candidate remaining in the race?
Bill’s statement last night stands for itself. The focus really should be showering the Pitts family and the other members of the 178th with our love, our thoughts, and our prayers, not the typical professional politician garbage flowing from the Ard camp.
Y’all stay classy, now.
By YaGottaBeKiddenMe on October 7th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I’m very sorry for the Pitt’s. It will be hard for them. I really liked meeting him and appreciate his service. I also appreciate the service of every war veteran and the families as well.
I was shocked to see the REMF comment about Bill Connor. That’s no way to talk about a hero.
By weighing in on October 7th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Well said campaign manager Joshua….
By B-L PD on October 9th, 2009 at 4:08 am
I’m an Iran-Afghan vetwho served w/Connor. Connor was, and is, considered a blow-hard ticket puncher. His “eval” is very telling and AUTO-biographical. He flew by helicopter to the end point of the convoy and drove one way. They drew a couple of pings from small arms fire. PERIOD.
He’s considered a REMF by those he served with. PERIOD.