MUD FLIES EARLY IN LOWCOUNTRY …
Things move pretty fast in modern politics …
Within fifteen minutes of this website posting a preview of the upcoming special election for South Carolina House District 113 (map) , we received an anonymous email alleging that one of the candidates had recently been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).
Is the allegation true? Yes …
Angela Hanyak, one of three Democrats running for the seat, was arrested in February of this year for DUI and an expired vehicular registration.
What happened? Before we get to that, it’s important to note Hanyak wasn’t convicted of DUI – nor did she plead guilty to the charge. That’s obviously pertinent information, as a DUI conviction or guilty plea is obviously a vastly different situation than an arrest which ultimately leads to a lesser charge.
Anyway …
According to sources familiar with the situation, Hanyak simply made a wrong turn in downtown Charleston, S.C. one evening after leaving a dinner engagement with a friend – and after being pulled over by a city police officer, acknowledged that she had consumed an alcoholic beverage prior to getting behind the wheel.
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Was that smart? No. Is it disqualifying for elected office? Not at all … at least not in our book.
“While I’m not proud of the circumstances that led to the incident, the experience taught me a great deal about how our legal system does – and in some ways does not – work for everyday South Carolinians,” Hanyak told us.
Frankly, we don’t see this as a big deal …
In fact like the barbs flying in the “Republican” gubernatorial race we see this story as more of a commentary on the candidates throwing the punches – not those on the receiving end of the jabs.
“If the opposition is already coming at her with this, then they are trying to cover up their own inadequacies, whether it be from a lack of campaign infrastructure or fundraising success,” noted consultant David Carter, who is advising Hanyak. “Furthermore, it shows that they don’t believe they have a message that they can win with. People are tired of politics as usual and they are looking for someone who is willing to roll up their sleeves and actually work for them. Angela Hanyak is that person.”
In addition to Hanyak, local pastor Chris Collins and politically connected attorney Marvin Pendarvis are also seeking the Democratic nomination for this seat. Two GOP candidates – Rouzy Vafaie and Theron Sandy – have also filed.
Partisan primary elections have been scheduled for September 5. A Democratic runoff election would follow on September 19, if necessary. The general election is scheduled for November 7. The race will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of veteran Democratic lawmaker Seth Whipper (news of which was first reported by our website).
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