SC

Exclusive: SC Lawmaker Resigning

HORRY COUNTY’S NELSON HARDWICK STEPS DOWN … || By FITSNEWS ||  S.C. representative Nelson Hardwick has submitted his resignation to the S.C. House of Representatives, sources close to the liberal “Republican” lawmaker tell FITS. The reason for Hardwick’s resignation – which will be read across the desk of the House on…

HORRY COUNTY’S NELSON HARDWICK STEPS DOWN …

|| By FITSNEWS ||  S.C. representative Nelson Hardwick has submitted his resignation to the S.C. House of Representatives, sources close to the liberal “Republican” lawmaker tell FITS.

The reason for Hardwick’s resignation – which will be read across the desk of the House on Wednesday – were not immediately clear, however the consequence of his actions was immediate.

“Let’s just label it inappropriate behavior,” one lawmaker told FITS, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Sources close to the leadership of the S.C. House tell us Hardwick’s resignation was demanded by House Speaker Jay Lucas after reports emerged that the sixth-term lawmaker made unwanted romantic advances toward a female House staffer.

These advances reportedly included unwanted touching and multiple efforts to kiss the woman.

FITS has been provided the name of the staffer who was allegedly the recipient of Hardwick’s overtures, however we are not publishing it out of respect for her privacy.

A ranking House member also indicated Hardwick had been accused of similar unwanted advances toward a female lobbyist.

Hardwick, 63, is married with three children.  He has represented district 106 in Horry County, S.C. since 2005.  He was recently placed on the influential House ways and means committee, which is tasked with preparing the first draft of the state’s annual budget.

A fiscal liberal, Hardwick was one of several lawmakers dogged by the “Coastal Kickback,” a brazen pay-to-play scam in which hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign cash was funneled through a fabricated network of corporations to select politicians in exchange for their support of a local tax hike.

Neither Hardwick nor his “Republican” colleagues who took the dirty money have ever been held accountable for their actions.

Hardwick’s resignation will trigger a special election for the House seat he is vacating.  Filing for that seat will open on May 29 and close on June 8.  Primary elections will be held on July 28 with runoffs on August 11, if necessary.  The special election to ultimately fill the seat will be held on September 15.

UPDATE: Confirmed.  Multiple mainstream media outlets now reporting on Hardwick’s resignation.

UPDATE II: Hardwick’s resignation letter says he is resigning to “focus on my health.”

UPDATE III: Excerpt from Hardwick’s letter …

“Serving in the South Carolina House has been one of the single greatest highlights of my life. It has been an honor and privilege to represent the people of Horry County for the past 10 years.”

UPDATE IV: Money quote from S.C. State House source regarding Hardwick resigning over alleged inappropriate advances toward women: “If house members had to resign for that we wouldn’t have any left.”

***

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79 comments

George Carlin May 13, 2015 at 9:17 am

“unwanted touching”?

Oh for fuck’s sake, it’s called “groping”!

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Squishy123 May 13, 2015 at 9:20 am

He can’t use the “Strom Thurmond defense”?

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vicupstate May 13, 2015 at 9:47 am

At 63 he isn’t old enough yet to use that defense.

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Halfvast Conspirator May 13, 2015 at 9:36 am

but but but Joe Biden does and everybody just shakes their head at Crazy Uncle Joe

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shifty henry May 13, 2015 at 9:51 am

That’s because he is officially the “First Clown” …

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MashPotato May 14, 2015 at 12:27 am

You never fail to deliver, Shifty!

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shifty henry May 14, 2015 at 1:34 am

Thanks for getting a kick out of it Mash/Potato. This one was hiding in my folder, “Secret Ingredients with the Locked-In Flavors”…
(ps: there’s more Biden in there!)
Side note– being too busy to prepare dinner today I made a first-time purchase at KFC of —– you guessed it! The Mashed Potato Bowl — it was pretty good and filling for a take-out…

MashPotato May 14, 2015 at 2:55 am

They’re using my namesake, and not even paying me a thin dime? Those bastards!

Whenever I can’t come up with a clever online avatar, I decide to just use the first thing I can think of, and historically that’s resulted in food related things. For example, in one smartphone game, I’ve gotten a lot of mileage with the name “Beef”. The puns are endless!

shifty henry May 13, 2015 at 9:26 am

Gee, Nelson, you haven’t been keeping up with Fitsnews have ya’?. Why, this site is scattered with the chatter that matters on establishing and maintaining amorous personal relationships. TBG, jimlewis, rocky, (me), and others that will come to mind later.

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You Know My Name May 13, 2015 at 9:28 am

Crap! When I saw the headline I was hoping it was Katrina Shealy.

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JimBob May 13, 2015 at 9:37 am

Wow, it did not take the liars (Libertarians in as Repupblicans) to jump off that bandwagon.

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You Know My Name May 13, 2015 at 10:05 am

Liars as in how? She isn’t representing the people of Lexington County. She has become the lapdog of Leatherman and a few others in the Senate. How much time has she spent this year whining about Senator Corbin’s sexist comments, directed at her? Sad thing is, it appears that Corbin was right about her being a “lesser cut”. She seems to be easily led by some of the males in the Senate, always “going along to get along” rather than standing up for what is right.

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JimBob May 13, 2015 at 10:34 am

The vast majority of the people in her district seem to think she’s doing a fine job, and representing them in a way consistent with our values. Are you even in her district? So, if have a problem with her, that puts you in the minority. But if my assumptions are correct, that’s usually where your political opinions usually put you.

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You Know My Name May 13, 2015 at 11:06 am

It will be interesting to see how that “vast majority” of voters in our district approve of Katrina and her “representation” of our values when they are paying 12¢ more per gallon of gas, $50 to renew their drivers’ licenses, and a lot more, because Katrina supported this.

I sure as hell do not and she has definitely lost my vote.

easterndumbfuckistan May 13, 2015 at 2:16 pm

We all had high hopes for Katrina, even those that live outside of her district. She has proven what our worst fears about here were though, that she was a means to an end. That end being the end of Jakie Knotts. Jakie is gone and Katrina needs to get busy proving she’s not another Nikki Haley Clone or she needs to be gone as well.

You Know My Name May 13, 2015 at 4:04 pm

Thank You for being someone who actually gets it!!!!

JimBob May 13, 2015 at 4:54 pm

I have a great idea. How about one of you run for senate. Or anything else for that matter. It will be fun to see how many people actually believe the crap you put out there. The early line from Vegas puts the over/under at about 10%.

You Know My Name May 13, 2015 at 5:45 pm

She put that to me when she replied to one of my comments on another thread. Sorry, I don’t have the money or political backing to make a run and have a chance of winning. Also, since I wouldn’t sell out the people I represent, I would not have the backing of the almighty machines needed to stay in office, the one concern of politicians above all others they have once elected.

She had the gall to make it sound as though she were doing us a “favor” by staying in office and lining her pockets. Sorry I sound ungrateful, but it is probably because I am ungrateful.

you don't know my name May 13, 2015 at 5:17 pm

Anyone who pays attention knows she is not a Haley clone – they don’t even get along dumb ass

easterndumbfuckistan May 13, 2015 at 5:33 pm

You don’t have to get along to be a clone of someone. Many political enemies are very much alike but just don’t like each other for any number of reasons. BTW didn’t they do a social media kiss and make up a few months ago over some bill to further restrict freedoms

You Know My Name May 13, 2015 at 5:50 pm

She looks more and more like Haley each day, except maybe for the wrinkles. Enhance her power base and line her pockets. Those two things, plus staying in office, above all else.

Squishy123 May 13, 2015 at 2:49 pm

Fine by me, just because you don’t mind driving on dirt roads doesn’t mean I want to.

You Know My Name May 13, 2015 at 4:02 pm

Damn Squishy, I gave you credit for more sense than that. The money to fix our roads is there. If these scum sucking bastards would spend it on fixing the roads and spend it wisely, it could be done. People like Leatherman and Shealy want MOAR of OUR hard-earned money for no-bid contracts for their friends, family, and other cronies, some of which will likely find its way into their own pockets for their service to said cronies.
If you have money to give to these self-serving shits beyond what they already steal from us under threat of force, feel free to make out a check to Papa Leatherman, Katrina, or whever other or all of them that you wish. Maybe you could arrange to have your tax refund checks automaticslly go to their personal bank accounts and maybe set up payroll deductio, while you’re at it.

Personally, I don’t have the extra cash laying around to givr to greedy politicians who already live much better than I do, frequently on my dime.

Really? May 14, 2015 at 6:49 am

Kerry Wood, Kerry wood!!!!

you don't know my name May 13, 2015 at 5:15 pm

She is probably glad!! You sound like a jerk

You Know My Name May 13, 2015 at 5:37 pm

Than you for commenting, Mr Shealy. If demanding honesty amd accountability of our elected officials makes me a jerk, I will wear that label as a badge of honor.

You don't know my name May 14, 2015 at 6:48 am

You are funny I actually know mr Shealyl – font think he uses the computer!

Squishy123 May 13, 2015 at 10:53 am

You Know My Name = Jakie Knotts

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You Know My Name May 13, 2015 at 11:07 am

Nope! If you read my posts, you’d know that I supported Shealy over Knotts for some time. We did goid in getting rid of him but sadly, she is now “Jakie with a skirt”.

ted May 13, 2015 at 12:03 pm

Yea, Kat…try returning your phone calls…you do represent us…right? Oh, and stay off the dance floor.

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you don't know my name May 13, 2015 at 5:14 pm

I guess it would be easier to be led by all the females in the Senate? There are so many!!!

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You Know My Name May 13, 2015 at 5:34 pm

The point is, she is easily led She has no sense of right and wrong, such as when she voted for Jean Toal to stay in the good graces of Queen Jean and the good ol’ boys who follow her. Katrina is in it for her own gain and little or nothing else.

Really? May 14, 2015 at 6:46 am

You must be Corbin’s consultant!!!! – it just hit me ! Hi Kerry- How is the upstate?

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Bob May 13, 2015 at 12:14 pm

Harvey Peeler?

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you don't know my name May 13, 2015 at 5:12 pm

You must be kidding? What the hell did she do to you – tell the truth?

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You Know My Name May 13, 2015 at 6:23 pm

She has proven herself a disappointment on numerous fronts as her time in office lengthens

1. Voted to keep Jean Toal, yhe Queen Mother of corruption in SC as Chief Justice.

2. Voted to lower the bar for determining that a citizen is mentally incompetent to possess a firearm while keeping very vague, just who gets to make that determination.

3. Pushing a CDV bill that stands to allow a lot of citizens to have their property and means of protection taken from them without due process, frequently based on no more than another person saying they are “afraid” of the person to be denied due process.

4. Standing with other blood suckers in the Senate to enact significsntly higher gas taxes, double the cost of renewing your drivers’ license to $50, and quite a bit more nastiness.

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YouMustbekidding? May 14, 2015 at 6:42 am

Jealous Toal was less liberal than the opposition but you aren’t smart enough to know that!
So mentally incompetEnt people should keep a firearm…guess you didn’t read that bill either or maybe you lost your firearm because of it?
I am pretty sure you don’t under stand the CDV bill and figure you must be a wife beater – maybe a mentally ill wife beater since you want to possess a gun after being convicted of domestic violence! As for the gas tax – why don’t you beat up on every other plan anyone else has tried to come up with? Oh that’s right – you just hate women! I think we have a pattern here!

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You Know My Name May 14, 2015 at 10:20 am

Excellent bout of conclusion jumping, even if you are 100% wrong there, dipshit.

Pleicones(sp?) may or may not be more liberal than Toal, but he is nowhere near as corrupt. As I said, she is the apparent Queen Mother of corruption in this state. I don’t care how liberal oe conservative someone is when dealing with blatant corruption.

Part of the problem with the law that Shealy voted for, is that what determines “incompetent” is vague at best. If someone is having difficulty with taxes or other complex affairs, they could posdibly be labeled as incompetent. That brings us to the next problem regarding WHO gets to make the determination of incompetency; a spouse, judge, cop, disgruntled spouse or employee? Someone else? It is quite vague.

You Know My Name May 14, 2015 at 10:42 am

Many people arrestef for CDV in yhis state are not wife “beaters”. The bar in SC is set very low to get arrested or even convicted, here. BTW, wrong again. I have no personal CDV issues but know people who have been truly screwed by the system. Heck, I might be someone who had to put people in jail that I felt were innocent or otherwise undeserving of such treatment, but was given no choice by existing laws which REQUIRE arrest for minor scratches, red marks, or bruises, if the “victim” says this person did it. As I understand it, a vindictive spouse or lover can now claim they “are afraid” of the other party and be jailed and eventualky convicted. Taking someone’s property and means of protection over no more than this is just plain WRONG, and opens the door to get-backs and other vindictive acts which will certainly occur if this law is passed, as they already do under existing “must arrest” CDV laws. Unless or until it is you, a member of your family, or a close friend that this happens to, the uncaring person won’t think of these very real pitfalls.

The reason I attack her on the gas tax is because she is MY Senator. I had high hopes that she would be so much better than the POS she replaced, but lately, she seems to be trying harder and harder to emulate him.

fc May 13, 2015 at 9:29 am

“Neither Hardwick nor his “Republican” colleagues who took the dirty money have ever been held accountable for their actions.”

No.But The Sun News and a reporter were held accountable for libeling one of those ‘Republican’ for about $600,000.

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$$$$ Paid 2 Date by TSN May 13, 2015 at 11:45 am

—–> ZERO <——

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tick tock May 13, 2015 at 12:00 pm

BY TONYA ROOT – TROOT@THESUNNEWS.COM TROOT@THESUNNEWS.COM

An Horry County jury ruled in favor of Myrtle Beach area lobbyist Mark Kelley against The Sun News and investigative reporter David Wren on claims Kelley was defamed in articles written in 2010 about campaign contributions made a year earlier.

The jury awarded $400,000 in actual damages and $250,000 in punitive damages against the newspaper and Wren. The jury deliberated for more than four hours before reaching unanimous verdicts on the two types of damages.

Kelley filed the suit in May 2012 against Wren and The Sun Publishing Co., seeking actual damages to compensate for “his loss of and/or damage to his good name, his personal and business reputation,” according to the suit.

Read more here: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article16666328.html#storylink=cpy

Please.They will.

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$$$$ Paid 2 Date by TSN May 13, 2015 at 1:01 pm

Forget it. It will never be case law. It will not survive the appeal process. It will be dropped and forgotten, if it is not ruled on in favor of Wren, TSN & McClatchy. Something like this can’t stand. It would be the death of real, honest investigative reporting in the USA if it did.

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GrandTango May 13, 2015 at 9:29 am

Just grope a male…and he can switch to the Democrat Party…and be an honored Kingpin…LMAO…

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fc May 13, 2015 at 9:30 am

He would have been a hero and got support from the SCDP/DNC.

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vicupstate May 13, 2015 at 9:48 am

Just accept the ‘family values’ hypocrisy already. If an R does it, it’s okay in your book.

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guest May 13, 2015 at 10:32 am

We really don’t know if he did anything if Fits doesn’t tell who he allegedly ‘groped’ or touched inapproriatly.
Seems a little hypocrtical to crucify that conservative Josh in the upstate and put pics of the kid…his son… was falsely alleged to have molested on this site but the accuser(if there is one)remains anonymous in this story????

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Rocky May 13, 2015 at 10:02 am

Hey look, the Catholic Church hater is here today! Hey Tango, you want to make anymore comments about Catholics, maybe call the Pope queer or maybe call Bishop Guglielmone at pervert, or that his diocese is destroying South Carolina society? Come on, there’s room at St. Joseph’s in Columbia for you to burn a cross on the lawn. Be open on who you are!!

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GrandTango May 13, 2015 at 10:04 am

Ignorant-based Myths??…LMAO…

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Rocky May 13, 2015 at 10:08 am

Grand Tango yesterday – “But liberals win in Catholic states…so raping little boys is not the only sin Catholics, claiming to be avowed, are committing, evidently….” – yeah, that sounds like an ignorant-based myth. Your words – what – you want to claim you didn’t say it? Pope Hater – Admit Who You Are.

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GrandTango May 13, 2015 at 10:33 am

I’m indifferent to the Catholic denomination, basically.

But it does P!$$ me off that their belief system should be VEHEMENTLY against the Democrat Party..because of the severe immorality espoused in the Democrat Platform…but so many states w/ high Catholic populations put very immoral, bad and corrupt people in office…

It is a sin of omission at least…and it likely is WORSE than just heads buried up @$$#$…

guest May 13, 2015 at 10:37 am

Rocky is a Catholic..but disappointed they don’t serve aborted fetuses for Sacrament.

GrandTango May 13, 2015 at 10:59 am

Not surprised…

Rocky May 13, 2015 at 10:55 am

So much for freedom of religion in your view. Apparently one’s faith should dictate their political affiliation. The founding fathers would be so proud.

GrandTango May 13, 2015 at 10:59 am

No, God – not evil politicians – should dictate your moral behavior..

You idiots never have been very comfortable with anything other than simple concepts…but I guess that’s why you’re Dumb@$$ Democrats…LMAO…

Rocky May 13, 2015 at 11:37 am

You mean a Catholic?

Robin May 13, 2015 at 12:18 pm

Yea, But, being a female and if she was married too, he fits perfectly with the Republicans: Rchard Ecdkstrom, Mark Sanford, Bob Peeler, and how many yet uncaught?

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GrandTango May 13, 2015 at 12:55 pm

Better watch out…FITS has already told us he is getting sued for lying…and what about the liberals at Rolling Stone lying about rape, lying to perpetuate the myths you liberals peddle…because you are so disgusting and unfit…

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Rocky May 13, 2015 at 9:36 am

“He has represented district 106 in Horny County, S.C. since 2005.” There – fixed it.

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GrandTango May 13, 2015 at 10:29 am

Can it be a EXCLUSIVE if The State had it before you? LMAO…

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Essie Mae May 13, 2015 at 10:42 am

Clemson man, like fellow groping master Strom Thurmond. They respect women even less than they respect blacks.

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GrandTango May 13, 2015 at 10:56 am

Like John Edwards, Bill Clinton, Anthony Weiner, Jesse Jackson….oops…wrong party….LMAO….

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fc May 13, 2015 at 11:04 am

Jackson was gonna cut Obama’s nuts off.

US election 2008: ‘I want to cut his nuts out’ – Jackson

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GrandTango May 13, 2015 at 11:11 am

Didn’t Jackson use money he extorted from corporations – using race hate – to pay off his mistriss-Baby-Momma…????

Democrats…All you can do is laugh…to keep from crying…

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fc May 13, 2015 at 11:36 am

He sure did.He sent his son to prison instead for extorting money.

Rielle May 13, 2015 at 11:29 am

John Edwards attended Clemson, so I guess he learned his ways there, like Strom and Nelson.

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GrandTango May 13, 2015 at 12:03 pm

Democrat Party…

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Betty May 13, 2015 at 12:21 pm

Bob Peeler, Harvey Peeler too. Must be the School!

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heres a question May 13, 2015 at 11:23 am

The time is 11:22 am on 5/13, and as of this exact moment right now there are 5 posts on just this article with Tango using the “LMAO” abbreviation and one other in which he directly mentions he is laughing. I only point this out because if he is laughing so much he would be happy, so why then is he such a whiny little troll? This one is for you Tango, LMAO!! Please reply in the same for anyone who finds this true and funny

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TroubleBaby May 13, 2015 at 11:24 am

LMAO!!

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LMAO! May 13, 2015 at 11:50 am

Teenyboppers use that abbreviation less frequently than GT.

LMAO!

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fc May 13, 2015 at 1:11 pm

LMAO!!!!

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Krazy Kat May 13, 2015 at 11:45 am

I’m still laughing about “Hardwick” Wasn’t that the candle store owner in Debbie Does Dallas?

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Hmmmm May 13, 2015 at 12:00 pm

Expecting to see Kenny Bingham’s name somewhere again concerning “fabricated network(s)” to funnel money by proxy into his own pockets. Why do so many crooked people try to hide behind the Bible? Is it a way they attempt to deal with their guilty conscious? Or is it a mask of deception to make people think they are just and honest people, when they are not?

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DB May 13, 2015 at 1:16 pm

For a minute there I thought you were referring to Curtis Loftis.

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staffer May 13, 2015 at 12:06 pm

I guess Hardwick had a Hard dick.

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Zed May 13, 2015 at 2:21 pm

Anyone expecting me to jump on this and slam Nelson will have to be disappointed.

He is my kinsman. Third cousin, once removed. Our families go back to The Dimery Settlement in Dog Bluff NC. That was a Native American settlement, not far from Conway in Horry County. I choose to be respectful of kin. I will not judge.

God bless Nelson Hardwick.

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fred farkel May 13, 2015 at 6:03 pm

How about Don Wells from Aiken resigning after that crap he pulled with that $50,000 “loan” he got from his pal Brooks.

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Six May 14, 2015 at 1:49 am

Abc

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