SC

Richard Skipper To Challenge Hugh Leatherman

“GODFATHER OF PORK” FACING PRIMARY OPPOSITION The most powerful politician in the state of South Carolina will face a primary opponent this year … Hugh Leatherman – the Palmetto State’s “Godfather of Pork” – has run unopposed since 2004, when he was challenged in the November general election by a member…

“GODFATHER OF PORK” FACING PRIMARY OPPOSITION

The most powerful politician in the state of South Carolina will face a primary opponent this year …

Hugh Leatherman – the Palmetto State’s “Godfather of Pork” – has run unopposed since 2004, when he was challenged in the November general election by a member of his former party.

That streak will come to an end next month …

Florence County, S.C. “Republican” party chairman Richard Skipper will reportedly resign his party office within the next few days to run in the GOP primary election against Leatherman, the president of the State Senate and the chairman of its powerful finance committee.

The insurance agent’s bid will reportedly be backed by at least $200,000 in independent expenditure money from the S.C. Club for Growth – an investment we reported on two weeks ago.

A third possible candidate – Florence County, S.C. treasurer Dean Fowler – is also said to be mulling a bid.

Leatherman?  The uber-liberal legislative leader has nearly $700,000 in his campaign account at the moment.  Obviously that’s a formidable sum – one that will grow considerably when he starts shaking the trees.  And when he starts receiving independent expenditure assistance of his own.

HUGH LEATHERMAN
HUGH LEATHERMAN

Our guess is the diminutive legislative leader – who has made a fortune while in office – could easily summon more than $2 million on his defense within a month’s time.  Probably more than that, if necessary.

In fact here’s our question: How on earth can this kind of money be spent on a single rural S.C. Senate district between now and mid-June?

Our guess is these candidates will find a way …

In fact we’re told both sides have already been conducting polling in the district – and that the results of these surveys have encouraged Skipper to throw his hat in the ring.  Specifically, we’re told Skipper has been shown polling in the last few weeks that shows him beating Leatherman soundly when voters are informed of their positions on various issues.

“Whatever he learned from his polling has him pretty damn confident,” a source close to the race told us.

A consultant who has done polling in the race confirmed they had in their possession “empirical data” showing that Leatherman could be beaten this spring.

“And so does Leatherman,” the consultant told us.  “He’s (also) been polling.”

In fact, sources familiar with Leatherman’s poll tell us his “reelect regardless” number – in which respondents were asked whether they would support him for reelection regardless of who ran against him – stood at 38 percent.

We’re also told Leatherman’s poll had him leading Skipper by a 40-25 percent margin – indicating the potential for a wide open race.

Leatherman, 84, has served in the Senate since January, 1981 – and has led the finance committee since 2001 – amassing near dictatorial power over the state’s budget process over that time period.  His fitness to continue serving has been called into question owing to a pair of widely-known incidents – a December 2014 collapse at a museum opening in Florence, S.C. and a reported “seizure” in October 2008 at a restaurant in Columbia, S.C. – however those who work closely with him tell us he hasn’t missed a beat.

“Leatherman may be old, but he is still sharp as a tack,” one S.C. State House source told us, adding that he also “brings home the bacon.”

Will that be enough to save his own bacon?

We shall see …

***

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17 comments

Tazmaniac February 25, 2016 at 5:50 pm

It seems Leatherman isn’t leaving except in a box.

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HD February 25, 2016 at 6:36 pm

Forget it.

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Dan February 25, 2016 at 11:24 pm

8 months ago that is what they said about Jeb Bush’s opponents.

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HD February 26, 2016 at 9:00 am

Not sure who “they” were. It certainly wasn’t anyone who knew anything. At most he was a slight favorite eight months ago.

I know this area very well, and the politics there. No way, no how is Leatherman going to be beaten. Not going to happen. As I said in another thread, the last and only chance to have beaten him was the 1996 primary – his first as a Republican.

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jimlewisowb February 25, 2016 at 7:24 pm

Skipper should get a list of all active/retired members of the State Retirement System in his district and send them articles related to the $billions lost by Cockroach Leatherpecker’s butt buddy Williams

Next would be a list of all the companies Leatherpecker has interest in doing business with the State and the amount of taxpayers’ $money flowing into the Cockroach’s pockets and the pockets of all the little Cockroaches who kiss his ass

For all those voters who live on dirt roads and can’t get such paved, send them photos of the 24 mile Pamplico Highway that the State of South Carolina will pay $340 million to transform it into a five lane highway

A lot of damn dirt roads can be paved for $340,000,000.00

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Slartibartfast February 27, 2016 at 11:43 pm

Has anybody seen I-85 lately? The holes are small, but deep. They are, however deep enough to drop a live puppybabymonkey into one. But we’re dedicated to waste and fraud. Hey! Maybe we should change the state moto to “Incumbam, Stulti!”

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Bible Thumper February 25, 2016 at 7:34 pm

Is anyone surprised that Skipper is at the helm of a boat?

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The Colonel (R) February 25, 2016 at 8:07 pm

I’d be no less surprised if Sheheen was somewhere aboard dressed as Gilligan

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erneba February 25, 2016 at 7:41 pm

It would be really nice to get rid of him. Evidently, he has staying power and has become a bad habit with the voters in his district.
As a friend once said to me, “He’s harder to get rid of than a case of the bullhead clap.”

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The Colonel (R) February 25, 2016 at 8:06 pm

Dick Skipper versus the Leather Pecker…

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CorruptionInColumbia February 25, 2016 at 8:07 pm

It would be nice to see a huge vote of no confidence against this loathsome, corrupt, old POS

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vicupstate February 25, 2016 at 8:30 pm

Specifically, we’re told Skipper has been shown polling in the last few weeks that shows him beating Leatherman soundly when voters are informed of their positions on various issues.

If Skipper takes that at face value, then he isn’t too bright. “informed ballot” polls are BS.

If Leatherman lost he would just be replaced with someone just like him and almost as old. The system has to change not just the occupant. The Senate is always run by a couple of power brokers, and Leatherman is not much better or worse than those before him in that position.

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Ned February 25, 2016 at 11:21 pm

i Will be sending Skipper a check tomorrow!

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Ned February 25, 2016 at 11:22 pm

Donald Trump is showing that the people are fed up with the establishment, and especially the crooked establishment. Leatherman is the biggest crook in the Establishment and lets hope Skipper goes after him full bore!

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Lone Ranger February 26, 2016 at 3:10 pm

That’s right—ole Hugh “brings home the bacon” because his grifter
pig voters are looking for a RINO handout everyday

But this year—you RINO felon—you run out of OTHER peoples’
money and that’s right—it’s YOU who are…going away !!!

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opengovernmentup February 27, 2016 at 8:38 am

Leatherman should be removed. Let’s send a message that anyone still doing back room politics money deals is going to lose their office. Leatherman and the Flag money deal etc. Which brings up another thought, SC Division Sons of the Confederates “Leader” Leland Summers, part of the Leatherman back room flag deal (yeah Summers sold out the troops) is up for reelection. Can’t believe the men will reelect that carpet bagger, self serving, idiot.

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opengovernmentup February 29, 2016 at 9:56 am

Vote against the ones in office. Simple as that

Reply

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