Sunday, March 17, 2013
A look back at the last 7 weeks.
The race to replace Tim Scott as the representative for South Carolina's First Congressional District as been a campaign like no other. And in the Palmetto State, that's saying something. To say the least, the field is crowded--there were 16 Republicans, 4 Democrats (now two) and two Greens (now 1) in the running at one point or another. On Tuesday, the Republicans and Democrats have the opportunity to choose their nominee. The Greens have already chosen theirs in Eugene Platt. With 16 candidates, it seems unlikely that any of the Republicans will get more than 50 percent of the vote. If that is the case, the top two finishers would meet in a run-off on April 2. Whoever emerges on the Republican side would appear to be destined to face …
Millions of dollars have been raised and candidates have been generous in giving themselves loans.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated since its original publication. One of the biggest factors in an election--if not the biggest--is money. Raising money is almost essential in order to stay competitive. The First Congressional District race is no different. Through the end of February, the Republican and Democratic candidates had raised over $1.5 million. That total does not include money from PACs created on a candidate's behalf (See breakdown below). Both Mark Sanford and Elizabeth Colbert Busch led the way with over $300,000 in donations. Teddy Turner also eclipsed $300,000, but that was because he contributed more than $200,000 himself. Expenses for the candidates exceeded $2 million. The candidates have loaned themselves more…
Thursday, March 14, 2013
A look at the candidates seeking the Republican nomination in District 1.
Patch provided the Republican candidates for South Carolina's first Congressional District seat with the opportunity to explain what issues they think are most important in the race and what they would do to solve them. When asked what are the most critical issues to the district, the most popular answers were cutting government spending and education. By clicking on the name below, you can see their responses. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Keith Blandford Curtis Bostic Ric Bryant Larry Grooms Jonathan Hoffman Jeff King John Kuhn Tim Larkin Chip Limehouse - Did not respond Peter McCoy Candidates' campaign pages and social media pages are here. Elizabeth Moffly - Did not respond Ray Nash Andy Patrick Shawn Pinkston Mark …
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Monday forum unveiled some differences.
Though it does not appear to be a major issue among voters, several GOP candidates for the First Congressional District seat have exchanged barbs over gay marriage in recent days. The issue bubbled up at a Tea Party forum in Bluffton on Monday where the candidates had different takes on the federal government's role in marriage. Teddy Turner, Jr. said, “I don’t think social issues should be a federal issue.” Elizabeth Moffly said she didn’t think Congress should legislate morality or what goes on behind closed doors. Rep. Peter McCoy said, “When it comes down to the government telling somebody how to get married ... I think the government has zero role in it.” Sen. Larry Grooms fired back at these positions, claiming the other candidates …
Monday, March 11, 2013
It came at an event at the Charleston School of Law.
At an event at the Charleston School of Law, former State Sen. John Kuhn apologized publicly to Teddy Turner for the negative advertisements he had run against him. Except the apology came on Feb. 27. Last week, residents in SC1 received this piece of mail from the Kuhn for Congress campaign with respect to Turner. Meaning, after Kuhn apologized for the negative ads, he ran them again a week later. When Patch contacted Turner last week he pronounced himself "flabbergasted." Turner has also been on the receiving end of attack ads from Rep. Chip Limehouse. Today, Turner's campaign issued a lengthier statement, the portion which referred to Kuhn read in part: "John Kuhn spent untold amounts of his own money on two direct mail pieces that …
Sunday, March 10, 2013
A look at the best-known first time candidate in the race.
Name: Teddy Turner Town of Residence: Mount Pleasant Current/Most Recent Job Title: High School Economics Teacher Employer: Charleston Collegiate School Previously Held Public Office: N/A See what the other GOP candidates said here. Biggest Issue Facing District 1: Out-of-Control spending in Washington. Turner Solution: The debts created by unaccountable politicians in Washington now constitute the chief threat to our very way of life, and the future of America. I’ll address this by first teaching Congress a simple lesson: We cannot spend our way out of debt, and Americans cannot be taxed into prosperity. Next, I’ll propose to cut budgets at most departments and agencies by 10 percent each year for the next three years. However, unlike …
Friday, March 8, 2013
The former State Senator bashes Turner personally, professionally and politically.
Apparently Mark Sanford isn't the only GOP candidate John Kuhn has in his sights. In recent public appearances, Kuhn has told audiences that he has never been unfaithful to his wife. Nor did he ever intend to be unfaithful to her. A none-too-subtle reference to the former governor. Now, Kuhn has moved to Teddy Turner. In a mailer received by voters on Friday and "Paid For by Kuhn for Congress," Turner is questioned on several fronts. The mailer challenges the validity of Turner's claims of being a high school teacher, fiscally conservative, pro-life, business friendly, having Republican values and being conservative. The literature (attached) shows a picture of Turner wedged between his former stepmother Jane Fonda and Pres. Obama, though …
The only female on the GOP side of the race slams six of her male rivals.
One day after a congenial debate where 16 GOP candidates did little to emphasize their differences, Elizabeth Moffly, the only female in the Republican field, minced few words in an ad called "Good Ol' Boys." The ad, narrated by Moffly, is appearing on radio and does not mention any of the other candidates by name. But a video version points to the personal and political, while criticizing: What do you think of the ad? Keep up with all of Patch's coverage of South Carolina politics by following us on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE.
Fifteen of the 16 GOP candidates took part in the event at North Charleston City Hall.
Below are the full videos, courtesy of the Republican Liberty Caucus of South Carolina, of the three groups in Thursday's Patch/ RLCSC Fight for the First GOP event. Who won Group One, between Ric Bryant, Jeff King, Elizabeth Moffly, Ray Nash and Rep. Andy Patrick? Who performed the best in Group Two, with Sen. Larry Grooms, John Kuhn, Tim Larkin, Shawn Pinkston and Teddy Turner? How about Group Three, which included Keith Blandford, Jonathan Hoffman, Rep. Chip Limehouse, Rep. Peter McCoy and Mark Sanford? Keep up with all of Patch's coverage of South Carolina politics by following us on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE.
Final gathering in public forum prior to Election Day.
With less than two weeks remaining before the March 19 primary, much of the crowded field of GOP candidates has been reluctant to challenge each other on the issues. That trend continued on Thursday evening at the “Fight for the First” debate hosted by Patch.com, Republican Liberty Caucus of South Carolina, and the South Carolina Radio Network. Approximately 200 people gathered at the North Charleston City Hall to hear 15 of the 16 GOP candidates for the First Congressional District. The candidates were arranged in three groups of five for the purposes of giving them more time to highlight their differences and make their case directly to voters. The event was culminated by a straw poll that saw Ray Nash finish first, followed by Mark …
Ajay Jain
4:21 pm on Saturday, May 4, 2013
Watch the ONLY debate between Elizabeth Colbert Busch and Mark Sanford and decide who to vote for! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpPy5u7EszM more ›