S.C. State Senator Chip Campsen (R – Charleston) and former House Majority Leader Jimmy Merrill (RINO – Daniel Island) will both reportedly enter the race to replace U.S. Rep. Henry Brown in the U.S. Congress, sources tell FITS.
Both candidates were making calls Monday and Tuesday to line up financial support – Campsen to several big money backers of S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford and Merrill to financial supporters of House Speaker Bobby Harrell.
Brown announced on Monday that he would not seek a sixth term in the U.S. House, news which was greeted with much rejoicing by fiscal conservatives in South Carolina – until they examined the crop of (mostly) status quo morons vying to replace the old RINO, anyway.
While Campsen and Merrill are both “in” (as of now, at least), S.C. Rep. Tim Scott (R – North Charleston), State Senator Larry Grooms (R – Berkeley), S.C. Rep. Chip Limehouse (RINO – Charleston) and former U.S. Rep. Tommy Hartnett are all still actively considering whether or not to mount a bid.
Myrtle Beach lawmakers Alan Clemmons and Thad Viers are also rumored to be considering the race, but the geography of the district distinctly favors candidates from the Lowcountry.
Meanwhile, S.C. Rep. Tracy Edge (R – North Myrtle Beach) told FITS Monday that he was not running (quoting Dirty Harry’s “a man’s got to know his limitations” line, actually, which was pretty cool) while sources close to S.C. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer tell FITS that he remains committed to the governor’s race.
Oh, before we forget, there are two candidates who were already in the race prior to Brown’s decision not to run – Tea party activist and military mom Katherine Jenerette and former Columbia lobbyist principal Carroll A. “Tumpy” Campbell.
Both are staying in.
Stay tuned …
By V-in-MTP January 5, 2010 at 8:33 pm
I like Campsen to win by a country mile out of those 4. Although, I must candidly admit to not knowing a great deal about Ms. Jenerette just yet.
By Bookmaker January 5, 2010 at 8:42 pm
1) Campsen is OUT. Your source is wrong.
2) Merrill has a small problem: he doesn’t live in the district. While that is not a legal impediment to running, it certainly is a problem.
3) Best candidates not yet in: Scott and Grooms
By Michael Greer January 5, 2010 at 8:47 pm
The guy to watch is Todd Garrett — Citadel Grad, Harvard’s JFK School Distinguished Grad, a Marine and Iraq Veteran — now working in industrial real estate at Grubb and Ellis — I have known him for years and he will be a formidable candidate if he enters the race. Go Todd Go!!
By JR January 5, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Is it just me or is 2010 a heck of a year for South Carolina races. Everybody and there mother wants to run, except for the democrats. The horse race will be exciting to watch.
By Cicero January 6, 2010 at 7:52 am
Tim Scott’s not going to run. His Lt. Governor bid has gotten a lot of traction, and he’d face credibility problems if changed course at this point.
By Carolinabeve January 6, 2010 at 9:19 am
Jenerette needs more exposure for sure. How about it Will? Expose her.
By David January 6, 2010 at 9:19 am
Cicero,
Actually seems like a no-brainer for Tim.
He spends alot of time in Washington.
CD1 is most moderate district in SC and not only do I think he should win this race but would. He most certainly resonates with voters in the area. I live in Charleston and while he does not have my vote for Lt Governor, he would certainly have it for Congress. Just think he’s a better fit there than Columbia.
His base is obviously the lowcountry and extremely strong with some serious power pushers in the Charleston area.
My feeling his he’s running third in the 3 horse Lt Gov primary at the moment. Having all those power pushers doesn’t necessarily relate to votes statewide. The most critical area in the Lt Gov race is the upstate where Connor has the most traction.
I do agree that Campsen is out and doesn’t Merrill have some issues he needs to deal with? His residence not being the only one of those issues.
Bottom line – I don’t see anyone that’s currently in this race or that’s considering a run that can beat Tim Scott in a primary and certainly not in a general.
By Throwing stones, Glass Houses January 6, 2010 at 1:00 pm
So I think Sic is an asshole. But I’m an asshole and I like assholes. But this is strange: are you that far up the Tea Baggers ass, or are you secretly hoping for a Democrat victory, or are you trying to tag that.
All you have to do is google Van and Katherine Jenerette, and you’ll figure out that Macbeth and his Lady have nothing on these monsters. Seriously, ask their family about whether they have souls. Ask them if it would be legal for them to allow children into their home; ask them if any person with children would let them near them.
By Matt January 6, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Chad Walldorf should be running for this seat. Though if he doesn’t, and Chip Campsen does, I imagine Waldorff and the Club for Growth will be supporting Campsen.
Either way it would be nice to have a real conservative Republican in the SC House delegation for a change and not another Brown or Inglis.
By David is Nuts January 6, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Connor has the most traction in the upstate? Keep smoking the good stuff. That guy does not have a snowballs chance in hell. The question is whether he paid for the limbaugh radio ad underneath his billboard on I-26 himself or not, talk about desperate…..
By cousin January 6, 2010 at 8:03 pm
But Matt< you and your little group endorsed Jim Merill in 2008 well before filing began. Why does he not get the nod this time. Could it be that you really don't base your endorsements on anything? You didn't even endorse one House member who was the primary sponsor of half of your groups legislative agenda. I'm sure that was out of general ignorance wasn't it? Just shows that 1 you don't know what you're doing and 2 you don't realize that there were people here long before you that were conservative and passed the agenda without your help.
By Matt January 6, 2010 at 10:14 pm
cousin,
I’m the Matt who posted the comment that is two above yours. I am not Matt Moore the E.D. of the SC Club for Growth. I do post comments on FITS News somewhat regularly though, I guess. I support the work of the Club for Growth though but I’ve never met Matt Moore. I would support either Waldorff or Campsen for the seat, but I’m speaking for myself and my own ideas. I think when Matt Moore post on FITS he is speaking “on the record” and uses his full name anyway.
By Designated Driver January 6, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Connor has as much traction in the Upstate as he has on the issues and on reality. Ken and Tim will leave his ass in the dust and face each other in a runoff.
By cousin January 7, 2010 at 9:47 am
Matt: my sincere apologies. Thank you for setting me straight. I will be more careful next time. Sorry bout that!
By Brandon Shreve May 13, 2010 at 10:32 am
Ken Glasson is an interesting candidate who has the right stuff—take a little time and research him. I think you will really like his stance—anti-establishment, small government advocate, and fiscal conservative. He is a retired Lt. col. in the marine corps and small business owner.