SC Lawmakers Draw Few Challengers

By FITSNews || Despite widespread voter dissatisfaction with South Carolina’s chronic lack of leadership, nearly half of all S.C. House members are facing no opposition from a major party candidate in 2010 – noteworthy for an election year that was supposed to be brutal for incumbents at all levels of government.

Talk about a wasted opportunity to create some real change in Columbia, S.C. – a place where common sense ideas routinely go to die a slow, thick-accented death at the hands of our “Republican-controlled” General Assembly.

More than sixty state lawmakers – or roughly half of the entire chamber – are running completely unopposed in 2010, a list that includes several of the state’s biggest-spending RINOs (i.e. House Speaker Bobby Harrell and GOP “Majority” Leader Kenny Bingham).

And while it’s unclear at this point how many petition or write-in candidates will emerge over the next few months, the lack of primary or general election challengers means that Palmetto State residents should probably get used to South Carolina bringing up the rear (again) in every category that matters.

FITS has obtained an unofficial tabulation of the contested races, although we’re hearing that the list we have been provided includes a few omissions. For example, S.C. Rep. Boyd Brown (D-Fairfield) has drawn a primary opponent in House District 41, although sources tell FITS that the candidate – who was allegedly “planted” by S.C. Rep. Leon Howard – is a registered sex offender. Hopefully not with a horse …

Obviously, we’ll have a complete list of primary and general election candidates from both the S.C. Republican and Democratic parties as soon as that information become available.

In the meantime, several prominent RINOs do have opposition – including S.C. Ways and Means Chairman Dan Cooper and LCI Chairman Bill Sandifer. Also facing opposition in 2010 are RINO Reps. Gene Pinson, Keith Kelly, Roland Smith, Rita Allison, Nelson Hardwick and Richard Chalk – all of whom are bums that should be thrown out.

But are any House incumbents actually in trouble?

Well, sources tell FITS that House Speaker Pro Tempore Harry Cato will face the fight of his life in House District 17, while Spartanburg conservative Joey Millwood – one of the most reliable votes for change in the entire General Assembly – could be in trouble in House District 38.

We certainly hope Millwood hangs on. Say what you want about the guy, but his voting record on behalf of the taxpayers is stellar.

Speaking of voting records that aren’t so stellar, though, former RINO Rep. Becky Martin is attempting to reclaim the seat she lost four years ago to Rep. Don Bowen. Both have abysmal fiscal records, so it’s hard to see who to root for in that race.

Perhaps the most enjoyable challenger of them all? FITS’ own Mande Wilkes, who filed to run against Horry County RINO Nelson Hardwick.