By FITSNews || After two decades in the S.C. House of Representatives, Doug Jennings announced this week that he will not run for reelection in 2010 – but that doesn’t mean he’ll be coming off the taxpayer teat.
Jennings will continue working with the taxpayer-funded North Eastern Strategic Alliance – which FITS readers will recall has subsidized several luxurious international vacations over the years for powerful lawmakers (immediately after its coffers were filled with state funds, of course).
Hell, he may end up costing taxpayers even more when he’s retired.
In most election cycles, Jennings’ seat would be a lock for Democrats to hold onto, but in 2010 anything goes … as U.S. Sen.-elect Scott Brown’s shocking win in Massachusetts demonstrated.
Jennings is first vice chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and one of the most senior members of the democratic caucus, although his influence has waned in recent years due to persistent rumors about his personal life.
Jennings has also found himself on the receiving end of local wrath over his support of a proposed “mega-dump” in Marlboro County.
We’ve always liked him personally, but Jennings is emblematic of the very sort of politician that needs to be replaced in Columbia – a big-headed small town attorney of questionable character who was always guided by the capital city’s entrenched special interests, not the best interests of his constituents or the state as a whole.
Jennings was always a reliable vote against taxpayers, against parents and against progress – yet he was always a reliable vote in favor of House Speaker Bobby Harrell’s big spending, big government approach to “economic development.”
His local “mainstream” media may miss him, but we won’t – and we certainly hope that a true citizen leader rises up to replace him.
By chesterfield resident January 23, 2010 at 10:28 am
Now that he’s stepping down from office, maybe he and ex-solicitor Hodge can cruise some restops on a more frequent basis since Hodge has lots of time on his hands as well. Be careful though, you both have lost your SLED connection Stewart. Happy hunting but remember to leave the minors alone!
By Second that emotion January 23, 2010 at 6:04 pm
They’d best leave a lot of other people the hell alone, too. If people want a megadump, let them do it in their area. This area is already a big enough dump for folks who have to live here.
Still waiting on Sheheen and Spratt to comment openly on whether or not they intervened for Hodge and others in this county.
A couple of more questions, too. How did Sheriff Parker miss that cop cooking up meth? What are the missing details in the last bomb threat to the schools (and courthouse)? Did a local law enforcement individual really kill a man not too long ago, dress up the scene, and return to CPD where they got in a dept. vehicle and return to the scene and process it? What’s the real story behind the Campbell man who just went to prison and why it took over a decade to put him somewhere? Who and what decides who is enrolled in drug court? What is the full story behind at least two folks, one a minor, who died in local jails? What about those accusations online on this site that a certain individual molested boy scouts?
There’s plenty more questins where those came from. I’ve heard conflicting stories about Stewart. I suppose you can only clean up so much when swimming in a cesspool.
The worst part is that while these folks were enjoying their guilty pleasures, kids suffered, people lost practically everything they had, and when they stepped out of line once, they went to jail. Or died, so some say.
The fact this goes all the way to our state capitol and politicos like Jennings is no surprise. I don’t expect much to change but it’s nice to see the party is over for some of them. Wondering what they’re doing to keep themselves entertained?
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' January 23, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Elizabeth Munnerlyn, daughter of Operation Lost Trust icon John I. Rogers, is running.
By James F. January 24, 2010 at 11:52 am
By the way I wonder why things on ex-solicitor Jay Hodge have become so quite. I would also like to know how much House Members Jennings and Nielson got out of their law suit against the state. Those representing the state cant bite off the hand that feeds them you know!
By Commonman January 24, 2010 at 5:58 pm
If NESA is tax-payer funded, just FOIA their records and put at end to all this conjecture. Jennings wouldn’t be the only former legislator to end up on the public dole at that college.
By Huhhh??? January 25, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Second, sounds like ya’ll need to call the FBI…
By hardyboys January 25, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I would sing “Glory, Glory, Halleujah” but I believe it would be sacriligious to do that. So I’ll just give another song that may be more appropriate, “The Devil Went Down to Marlboro County and South Carolina”.
By area resident January 25, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Elizabeth Munnerlyn is NOT someone we need to represent us. She is nothing more than a long-term member of The Hodge Camp! Same politics, different type of shoes!
By Second that emotion January 25, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Huhhh,
The FBI was called a long time ago. They’re supposedly investigating now, but who knows. What can they do anyway, when practically all witnesses have been silenced and paperwork destroyed? Hell, one of the main accused graduated from the FBI Academy.
I’ve got a song I’d like to dedicate to the government in this area and all the way to D.C. It’s called “Holiday” by Green Day and I wish every politico in the U.S. would do just that, take a damned Holiday. A permanent one. Just go away and don’t come back. How much damage will be enough for yall, anyway?
By Thomas Jefferson January 26, 2010 at 2:01 pm
First of all, anybody who’s ever known or worked with Rep Jennings knows he is a good man, and that his retirement is Marlboro’s and the state’s loss. As for NESA, I believe you’ll find that NESA is a volunteer organization and none of the leaders affiliated with it draw any salary or money from it. So his continued work with this Pee Dee group pushing economic development won’t cost taxpayers at all, and could benefit them if NESA has success. Second, this blog has taken shots personally at alot of good men and women. What does Jennings have in common with Tommy Moore, Bobby Harrell, Dan Cooper, Jake Knotts, Joe Riley, Andre Bauer, Lindsey Graham, Rita Allison, Dick Harpootlian, Bill Sandifer, Glenn McConnell, and many others? This site has stirred crap on all of them, and has created a forum for others to anonymously attack them. Good luck to whoever replaces him because politics in Columbia has gotten sick and mean. Get a damned life, people!
By PDPolWatcher January 26, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Right, Thomas, some people here at home know Doug Jennings was reported by SicWillie here to be on his political heels and in danger of losing his seat before the last election. This site must really have it in for him for some reason, even “reporting” some ridiculous idea that Jennings was under investigation for stuffing the ballot box, and stirring scandalous nonsense to try to hurt him. Check the results…I believe Jennnings got over 80% of the votes AFTER these attacks, and he would again if he chose to run this time. Good luck to this guy and woe be unto Marlboro if the Operation Lost Trust crowd gets this seat back!
By chesterfield resident January 26, 2010 at 5:37 pm
PDpolwatcher, all that 80% shows is the strong hold the Democrats have over this very low income, uneducated area. Wolves in sheeps clothing. Check into the allegations of Jennings being caught up in the prostitute sting on 95. Word has it that disgraced ex-solicitor Hodge and Jennings had to pull some strings to get SLED to turn a blind eye for both of them. In my opinion, they are both “black eyes” to the district!
By hardyboys January 26, 2010 at 6:44 pm
THOMAS JEFFERSON AND PDPOLWATCHER
I THOUGHT I HEARD VIOLINS PLAYING AS I READ YOUR COMMENTS::::
BLAH BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH