By fitsnews – September 7, 2011If you’ve never seen the Chapin, S.C. Labor Day parade, prepare yourself for a treat.
There’s motorcycles, music, costumes, floats, bands, candy and … (of course) … politicians.
Among the parade’s political participants? U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, S.C. Rep. Nathan Ballentine (whose wife wore some flattering Capris) and … at the 9-minute mark of the video above … S.C. Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom.
What’s notable about “Comptroller Creepy‘s” appearance?
Its isolation. Seriously … Eckstrom is all by himself in the parade (carrying his own campaign sign, no less). And it’s also painfully clear that the crowd is … how to put it … “just not that into him.”
“This may be the saddest thing I have ever seen in politics,” our source says. “Richard Eckstrom, Comptroller General, all by himself in the parade. Holding his own sign, with no one waving at him and no one walking with him.”
Indeed.
Eckstrom’s creepy texts and emails during his affair with former SCGOP Superintendent of Education candidate Kelly Payne have become the stuff of S.C. political legend (and not in a good way). In one of those texts, Eckstrom – who is currently in the process of being taken to the cleaners by his estranged wife – referred to himself as a “fine specimen.” In another, he offered to be Payne’s sexual “guinea pig.”
In addition to his recent affair with Payne, Eckstrom has reportedly claimed an affair with a statewide elected official in Oklahoma. Rumors are also swirling regarding a possible affair with one of his subordinates in the Comptroller General’s office.
Just over a decade ago, Eckstrom settled a sexual harassment suit filed against him while he was serving as State Treasurer. The woman, Leanne R. Johnson, received $57,000 from South Carolina taxpayers as a result of the settlement.
Despite all of this, Eckstrom was not only reelected Comptroller last November – but was placed in command of the South Carolina State Guard earlier this month.
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