By FITSNews || A former S.C. lawmaker who was defeated nearly two years ago continues “working” alongside his colleagues in an office building on the State House complex – taking up prime taxpayer-funded real estate, using a taxpayer-funded phone line and availing himself of support from taxpayer-funded staff members.
Former Rep. Bob Leach – who serves as the Chaplain to the House Republican Caucus – even has his own parking spot in the State House garage.
What makes this arrangement so curious? Well, for starters, the S.C. House already has a full-time Chaplain – Charles E. Seastrunk, Jr. In fact, Seastrunk has an office in the same building as Leach.
“Do they have so many wayward souls in the Republican party that they need another full-time chaplain for their caucus?” one prominent Democratic lawmaker asked FITS, referring to a rash of recent sex scandals involving top Republicans.
Democrats also questioned why scarce state resources would be devoted to such a superfluous position.
“They’re supposed to be the party of less government, aren’t they?” another Democratic lawmaker asked. “Or is this yet another example of Speaker (Bobby) Harrell being unable to say ‘no’ to one of his Republican colleagues looking for a handout?”
Leach, 77, was defeated by Rep. Bill Wylie in the June 2008 Republican primary for S.C. House District 21, which is located in Greenville County.
Initially, he refused to vacate his State House office after his electoral defeat, which proved to be quite an embarrassing situation for the GOP leadership. Now, Leach comes to Columbia each week during the legislative session – working out of a new State House office just down the hall from the powerful Ways and Means committee.
“He won’t go home,” one Republican source told FITS. “It’s the saddest thing.”
UPDATE: It should be noted that Leach’s replacement – Rep. Wylie – is no spring chicken. In fact, the 70-year-old missed an entire month of the 2009 legislative session due to illness.
By Recovering Lobbyist April 19, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Bubba Snow has been hanging around a lot longer. Both parties are equal opportunity.
By Walt Roberts April 19, 2010 at 1:05 pm
I was going to say the same thing about Bubba Snow.
By Checking in April 19, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Bubba was at least employed up there I believe….and Scarborough, well I’m sure after his dismal defeat last week in the Citadel BOV race….he’ll go home for a while.
By crackahasscrackah April 19, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Yeah, but at least Bubber can dance. And he ain’t pretending to be somebody’s spiritual advisor.
Now Wallace probably does want to scurry home after the whuppin’ he took last week. Problem for Wallace is . . . where’s home? Does he really want to reside with the Black Widow in Beaufort?
By Harumph April 19, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Don’t forget about Ralph Davenport. Talk about refusing to go away gracefully. He shed all dignity in the weeks after his thumping by Joey Millwood.
By They call me Mr. Sinister April 19, 2010 at 3:18 pm
You want a great answer to term limits? Mandatory retirement for public officals at 60…
By No Name April 19, 2010 at 3:54 pm
I would like to see a current picture of him entering the office and a picture of the inside of the office.
Not doubting….but pictures are quite powerful – front on …as you ask his worthless ass what are you doing here and who authorized it.
Chase these fuckers down and take that picture.
By Checking in April 19, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Harumph,
Ralph Davenport did not seek re-election. Joey Millwood beat Bob Walker. And Millwood will loose in June.
By Donny April 19, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Another great piece of hard-hitting journalism….whoopty doo. An old fart likes to spend a day in week roaming the halls of the state house and giving a devotional.
By the way geniuses…Ralph Davenport was beaten by Steve Parker.
By DowntownCharleston April 19, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Sic Willie,
No Name is right. You need to “ambush interview” and then post on YouTube for everybody to view.
By You Can Call Me Ma'am April 19, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Not only ambush him but also the Speaker. Make him answer for this waste of taxpayer money.
By MOHANNA April 20, 2010 at 3:11 am
In your guts you know they’re nuts!
By Harumph April 20, 2010 at 9:26 am
Checking, you’re absolutely right about Millwood beating Bob Walker, and Walker was the guy who I was thinking of who was so pathetic/disgusting in defeat (compared to his being an ass while in office). But as was pointed out by Donny, who apparently thinks genius is measured by a mastery of minor political elections, Davenport did run for re-election in 2008 and lost to Forrester in the primary.
By Matt April 20, 2010 at 2:25 pm
As Donny said, Ralph Davenport was defeated by Steve Parker in the 2008 primary.
Harumph–Mike Forrester defeated Ken Roach in an open primary for the seat previously held by Scott Talley, who ran for the Senate in 2008 but was defeated in the runoff by Lee Bright.
That is your partial primer on Spartanburg County politics.
By SkipBo April 20, 2010 at 3:23 pm
They should move him to the Governor’s office… Someone should be using it.
Pingback: SC Club for Growth - SC Club for Growth Weekly Press Clips – April 23