PROSPECTIVE SPECIAL ELECTION COULD DRAW CROWDED FIELD …
Yesterday this website broke the news that U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney was in line to become head of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under president-elect Donald Trump.
Assuming Mulvaney receives the nod and is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he would vacate his current job as representative for South Carolina’s fifth congressional district (map).
That could create quite a crowded field in a special election to fill this seat – which covers the northern central portion of the state (including the booming suburbs of Charlotte, N.C.).
According to our sources, at least three would-be candidates are already strongly considering mounting campaigns.
State Rep. Gary Simrill – a ranking Republican in the S.C. House of Representatives – confirmed to us this week that he had “received several calls of support” following Mulvaney’s announcement and was “being encouraged to consider” running.
Former S.C. Republican Party chairman Chad Connelly is also reportedly interested in the seat, as is S.C. Rep. Ralph Norman – a wealthy developer who ran unsuccessfully for the seat back in 2006.
Mulvaney has represented the fifth district since 2011 – defeating U.S. House budget committee chairman John Spratt in the Tea Party wave election of 2010. Last month he trounced a well-funded, credible Democratic opponent to win his fourth term in Washington, D.C.
This website has run hot and cold with Mulvaney when it comes to ideology, but we believe him to be a qualified choice for this particular post – and we suspect he will be confirmed with ease.
Stay tuned … if we hear of additional rumors regarding this seat, we’ll be sure to let our readers know.
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