An independent expenditure group which ran ads on behalf of S.C. Senator Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley) during last month’s GOP primary for the Palmetto State’s first congressional district is preparing to run radio and television promoting the fiscal conservative as a write-in candidate in the general election.
You read that right … in the general election. As in against former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford.
“We’ll be launching a campaign to urge voters to write in State Senator Larry Grooms, the proven, consistent career conservative who already expressed interest in this seat earlier in the race,” said Ryan Gill of the Conservative Campaign Committee. “Since a write-in campaign is a steeper mountain to climb, we plan an even broader effort than we mounted in the primary, and we plan an even larger budget.”
Gill didn’t specify the size of that budget, although he indicated new radio and television ads were already in production.
“We don’t have to settle for the lesser of evils in this Special Election,” the text of one of these spots states. “Instead, write in Larry Grooms for Congress on May 7th.”
Wow …
Grooms did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Meanwhile sources close to his campaign declined comment.
This website endorsed Grooms’ primary bid – which came a few hundred votes short of qualifying for the GOP runoff, which was eventually won by former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford.
Until last week, Sanford appeared on the verge of pulling off a remarkable political comeback – but trespassing allegations made by his ex-wife Jenny Sanford (and the governor’s strategically questionable handling of the scandal) have thrown the race back into the Democratic column.
In fact earlier this week a new poll showed Democrat Elizabeth Colbert-Busch enjoying a nine-point advantage over Sanford.
Gill says the Conservative Campaign Committee had every intention of aligning itself behind Sanford following his runoff win – but now believes the governor’s self-inflicted wounds have fundamentally reshaped the dynamic of the race.
“After the primary and runoff, we had planned to line up behind the nominee but the constant distractions of Sanford’s personal behavior and the resulting shift in momentum to the liberal have eliminated supporting his candidacy as a viable option,” Gill said. “Naturally, we have no desire to split the conservative vote in a way that would benefit the liberal but in fact what has happened here is that Sanford has already split the majority constituency, the anti-Colbert Busch vote, into people who are able to stomach him as their candidate and people who aren’t.”
Grooms received 12 percent of the GOP primary vote on March 19 – roughly 500 points behind fiscal liberal Curtis Bostic, whom Sanford defeated handily in the GOP runoff on April 2.
Incidentally, sources tell FITS several Bostic supporters are planning on writing in his name in the general election.
Even if Grooms’ or Bostic’s write-in bid were to be successful, there’s no guarantee he would be able to hold office if elected. Why not? Because the South Carolina Republican Party makes its candidates sign a document pledging to neither seek nor accept the office in the event they are defeated in the GOP primary process.
But that’s obviously not the point … is it?
This is all about beating Mark Sanford …
In fact several Republicans have told FITS they would rather see a Democrat claim this seat for a few months (it’s up again in 2014) than see Sanford become entrenched there for years to come.
Pro-Grooms Write-In Ballot Ad (.mp3)
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71 comments
He wouldn’t win, but he’d sure be the one pounding the nails in Sanford’s political coffin….which would be great!
Grooms would probably help his chances against ECB the next cycle at the same too.
I ‘dated’ a guy named ,’Larry’ for two hours,and it was time well-‘spent’.Do you have any interesting tidbits about Grooms’ sex life/dick/etc? (whassup w/Thad,anyway?)
He’s gay?
Hast thou missed T today?
I ‘dated’ a guy named ,’Larry’ for two hours,and it was time well-‘spent’.Do you have any interesting tidbits about Grooms’ sex life/dick/etc? (whassup w/Thad,anyway?)
He’s gay?
Hast thou missed T today?
Grooms has always had a record like Mark Sanford without the baggage. Sanford supporters should have thought long and hard before they trusted him again.
Grooms has always had a record like Mark Sanford without the baggage. Sanford supporters should have thought long and hard before they trusted him again.
Crunch, crunch, crunch
What a sweet sound, cockroach munching on cockroach
Sanford 56%
Busch 43%
Grooms 1%
Yeah, right…
There is still a VERY SLIM chance of Sanford winning, but winning with 56% is preposterous.
Crunch, crunch, crunch
What a sweet sound, cockroach munching on cockroach
Sanford 56%
Busch 43%
Grooms 1%
Yeah, right…
There is still a VERY SLIM chance of Sanford winning, but winning with 56% is preposterous.
Polls must be showing some really bad numbers for the sandman.
Polls must be showing some really bad numbers for the sandman.
But will there be a debate with Sanford? This is the kind of action I’ve been waiting for! I’m stocking up with chips, dips, and Old Reliable since I don’t live in the district.
But will there be a debate with Sanford? This is the kind of action I’ve been waiting for! I’m stocking up with chips, dips, and Old Reliable since I don’t live in the district.
In a three-way, ECB wins!!
In a three-way, ECB wins!!
I thought the GOP strategy was to let ECB win this time and then retake the seat in 2014 when Sanford was out of the way. After all, didn’t they draw the lines up for just this purpose?
What I really don’t understand is how this election is not for the remainder of Demint’s term. A special election in 2014 means that boh of our senators will be serving concurrent three year terms. I frankly don’t think that’s in our state’s best interest, regardless of which party happens to be in power come election day.
Tim Scott will serve the remainder of Demint’s term.
This is for the Congressional seat held by Tim Scott and decides who will finish out his Congressional term. After being appointed Senator Tim Scott is now serving out the remainder DeMint’s term.
I thought the GOP strategy was to let ECB win this time and then retake the seat in 2014 when Sanford was out of the way. After all, didn’t they draw the lines up for just this purpose?
What I really don’t understand is how this election is not for the remainder of Demint’s term. A special election in 2014 means that boh of our senators will be serving concurrent three year terms. I frankly don’t think that’s in our state’s best interest, regardless of which party happens to be in power come election day.
Tim Scott will serve the remainder of Demint’s term.
This is for the Congressional seat held by Tim Scott and decides who will finish out his Congressional term. After being appointed Senator Tim Scott is now serving out the remainder DeMint’s term.
Dost thou miss T today?
Hell, NO.
Like a bad rash, he’ll be back. Count on that S#@T!
Dost thou miss T today?
Hell, NO.
Like a bad rash, he’ll be back. Count on that S#@T!
This could be great. Btw why is nobody talking about Sanford’s Strom problem?
Perfect way to make sure that ECB wins. This kind of infighting is what is causing the Republicans to lose elections.
Y’all should lose this one.
This could be great. Btw why is nobody talking about Sanford’s Strom problem?
Perfect way to make sure that ECB wins. This kind of infighting is what is causing the Republicans to lose elections.
Y’all should lose this one.
Barf … Again … Please find a new client and spare us the … What we would say.
Barf … Again … Please find a new client and spare us the … What we would say.
In a state with such mental heavy weights as Robert Ford and Jimbo Demint, Larry Grooms stands above the field as the dumbest of the dumb. His facebook page is a riot.
Yeh,he is dumb as Hell isnt he?I heard him on radio one day.He was almost incoherent.Makes the dull Sanford sound eloquent.This is the best the Republcans have?
In a state with such mental heavy weights as Robert Ford and Jimbo Demint, Larry Grooms stands above the field as the dumbest of the dumb. His facebook page is a riot.
Yeh,he is dumb as Hell isnt he?I heard him on radio one day.He was almost incoherent.Makes the dull Sanford sound eloquent.This is the best the Republcans have?
That “pledge” is worthless as in * unenforceable* by the GOP. The State of South Carolina certifies elections, not party hacks.
That “pledge” is worthless as in * unenforceable* by the GOP. The State of South Carolina certifies elections, not party hacks.
Making a mistake….better let ECB win this to get rid of Sanford, and then regroup in a year and do it right .
Making a mistake….better let ECB win this to get rid of Sanford, and then regroup in a year and do it right .
Seems like a Democrat strategy. Splitting the conservative vote insures the election of C-B.
Seems like a Democrat strategy. Splitting the conservative vote insures the election of C-B.
I will vote for him over the two unworthy ones that are being made available. Much like the presidential election where we were offered two worthless candidates neither worthy of emptying my leg bag.
One a complete idiot (Romney) and the other a well known liar who forgot that the people pay attention, he did not keep campaign promises, a verbal contract with the people. Then he blatantly lied in the rose garden when the gun bill was defeated saying 90% of the population supported it. WTF?
Typical Republican.They REALLY didnt like Romney,although they nominated him.They REALLY didnt like McCain although they nominated him.They REALLY didnt like Bush although they nominated and elected him.They REALLY didnt like Dole although they nominated him.On and on and on.Silly.
I will vote for him over the two unworthy ones that are being made available. Much like the presidential election where we were offered two worthless candidates neither worthy of emptying my leg bag.
One a complete idiot (Romney) and the other a well known liar who forgot that the people pay attention, he did not keep campaign promises, a verbal contract with the people. Then he blatantly lied in the rose garden when the gun bill was defeated saying 90% of the population supported it. WTF?
Typical Republican.They REALLY didnt like Romney,although they nominated him.They REALLY didnt like McCain although they nominated him.They REALLY didnt like Bush although they nominated and elected him.They REALLY didnt like Dole although they nominated him.On and on and on.Silly.
Like many others, I may just not vote. This is a mess. I’ve an idea let’s write in…what’s thay guy’s name again…Bill Faulk…Will Pokes…Fitshugh…Hissy Fits…oh, screw it…writing in A-Rav!
Like many others, I may just not vote. This is a mess. I’ve an idea let’s write in…what’s thay guy’s name again…Bill Faulk…Will Pokes…Fitshugh…Hissy Fits…oh, screw it…writing in A-Rav!
What’s with these guys with coiffed hair? Is there some unexplored correlation between blow dryers and fake outrage?
What’s with these guys with coiffed hair? Is there some unexplored correlation between blow dryers and fake outrage?
While you all will be sitting on your butts this weekend, I will be walking precincts for Sanford. That’s what wins elections. Not bitching about things.
Use plenty of sunscreen,and wear a hat.
While you all will be sitting on your butts this weekend, I will be walking precincts for Sanford. That’s what wins elections. Not bitching about things.
Use plenty of sunscreen,and wear a hat.
If Colbert Busch doesn’t win with this fracturing of the GOP base, can’t ever happen.
If Colbert Busch doesn’t win with this fracturing of the GOP base, can’t ever happen.
And the “circle jerk” continues.
And the “circle jerk” continues.
Please do not do something that is so ridiculous. This move will certainly give the 1st District and President Obama a blue seat in Congress. I think, I hope, State Senator Grooms and Mr Bostic care about the 1st District more than their own PR. Splitting the vote will be giving the Demos an early Christmas present.
Please do not do something that is so ridiculous. This move will certainly give the 1st District and President Obama a blue seat in Congress. I think, I hope, State Senator Grooms and Mr Bostic care about the 1st District more than their own PR. Splitting the vote will be giving the Demos an early Christmas present.
If Grooms was in any way behind this, I would never respect him (or vote for him) again. However, I don’t believe he is. What is wrong with you people? Sanford is a candidate with an EXCELLENT voting record. Busch has NO voting record, and is basically being disingenuous about who she is and what she stands for.
If Grooms was in any way behind this, I would never respect him (or vote for him) again. However, I don’t believe he is. What is wrong with you people? Sanford is a candidate with an EXCELLENT voting record. Busch has NO voting record, and is basically being disingenuous about who she is and what she stands for.