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April 27, 2006

The Hotline Futures Market: South Carolina

After presiding over one of the most successful party re-vamps in recent memory, including gaining a Sen seat, the Gov mansion and the State Legislature, the GOP chair has done a lot to turn this red state even more red. However, some intra-party strife boils just under the surface, and it may well bubble up sooner than some think. A wealthy developer who came within 4K votes of a runoff -- and presumably the Sen seat with it -- is considering a bid in two years against the state's senior Sen, and with a host of up-and-comers as well as established political names in the mix, '10's Gov race may get pretty messy. [REID WILSON]


The stars we've been watching since '03:

  • State Rep. Catherine Ceips (R): She's "making a name for herself" in the House and is considering a bid for State Sen. "She's looking at moving up."

  • State Rep. Alan Clemmons (R): A "very aggressive" member, he'd "like to be Speaker of the House." Some see him as unpredictable and quirky.

  • SC GOP Chair Katon Dawson (R): He's presided over a state party that gained two U.S. Sen seats and owns all but two statewide offices. He took over a party in debt and has put it on solid financial footing.

  • Consultant Chip Felkel (R): Owns a niche in the northern part of the state, but he's not seen as a big player throughout the state.

  • State Rep. Bobby Harrell (R): The Speaker of the House, he "absolutely" could run for higher office. Had been mentioned as a Sen candidate in '04, may run for Gov in the future. He's "four-star."

  • State Rep. Chip Huggins (R): Having run unopposed for his last term, Huggins is "comfortable doing what he's doing" and is not seen as a candidate for higher office.

  • State Rep. Ralph Norman (R): A "smart fella," Norman is running in SC 05 against Rep. John Spratt (D). He's one of the NRCC's top recruits and though he faces primary opposition, he "has the blessing of everybody" for the race.

  • Ex-US Atty Strom Thurmond Jr. (R): Thurmond has returned to private practice, and "you just assume that he eventually will run for something." His name is valuable; "we still have bumper stickers left over," says one expectant SC GOPer. Others expect him to run for Rep. Gresham Barrett's (R) SC 03 seat if Barrett runs for Gov in '10.

  • Ex-Sen. Fritz Hollings (D) aide Ashley Cooper (D): Cooper has since returned to the private sector, but he's said to have a future as a candidate if he wants it.

  • Columbia City Councilmember Tameika Isaac-Devine (D): Running for re-election in '06, she's "definitely" a future candidate for something bigger.

  • State Rep. Doug Jennings (D): "There's always been talk" about Jennings running, and he "has the ability to jump in and do it any time."

  • State Sen. Joel Lourie (D): We met him as a State Rep., and he's not done with his rise. He's contemplating a bid for Gov. in '10 after winning in a GOP district. He's been called "a good moderate modern kind of guy."

  • Businesswoman Darla Moore (D): Has been talked about in the past, "she's not going to" run.

  • State Sen. Gerald Molloy (D): The first African-American to win in a majority white district, he "could be a potential candidate for major statewide office."

  • State Rep. James Smith (D): The former Min Leader may be shipped off to Iraq pretty soon, though he "almost certainly would run for statewide office in '10"

And the stars to watch in the future:

  • Ambassador David Wilkins (R): The former House Speaker may run for Gov in '10. He's "very popular, very well-connected, and if he wants to run for office, he'd certainly be a leading candidate for something."

  • State Rep. Nikki Haley (R): Beat a long-serving GOP incumbent in a primary and was pres. of her freshman class. "Generally looked at as an up-and-comer," she "has aspirations for higher office." "One of the brighter young members."

  • Ex-Spartanburg Co. Council Chair Karen Floyd (R): Running for Superintendent of Education, she's the front-runner to take over a Dem-held statewide office.

  • '04 Sen Candidate Thomas Ravenel (R): The wealthy developer narrowly missed a run-off for then-Sen. Fritz Hollings' (D) seat, now held by Sen. Jim DeMint (R). He's said to be ready to spend several million dollars in a primary challenge to Sen. Lindsay Graham in '08. "His money makes him a factor."

  • State Sen. Vincent Sheheen (D): "A guy who's on his way to great things," the nephew of a former House Speaker is building a profile on prop taxes. He's said to be very telegenic.

  • State Rep. Paul Agnew (D): The freshman is "smart as hell." From a big political family, he will "almost certainly run for something soon."

  • Drew Theodore (D): An insurance salesman, Theodore may run for a down-ballot statewide office this year.

  • State Rep. Laurie Funderburke (D): Elected in a swing district, Dems are excited about her prospects. "She'd be a terrific statewide candidate," says one.


    • Posted at 11:04 AM

    Comments


    You need to update your list. Thomas Ravenel is a candidate for State Treasurer and Drew Theodore is a candidate for Comptroller General

    BH | 04.27.06 12:07 PM


    This message is for Rep Alan Clemmons regarding this horrendous corrupt insurance fee that should be given to the current policy makers in the White House for causing most of this problem and not the owners of property in Myrtle Beach..there is an election coming up soon and perhaps we can make decisions as well..I ask you to stop this outrageous insult to home owners of which I am one in Myrtle Beach..we are not responsible for Bush's incompetence...regrettably Craig Dudley

    Craig Dudley | 08.23.06 01:44 PM

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