PoliTick-Tock

Filing is over

The following is a list of candidates who filed for local and state offices:

 

Switching teams: Two candidates decide to change their party affiliation, one mid-race.

Two Horry County candidates decided to switch political parties today as they filed for election with the local parties.

Horry County School Board member Mary Ellen Greene filed for her current District 2 seat, and will be listed as an incumbent, but she switched parties, filing with the Horry County Democratic Party. Greene has served on the School Board as a Republican since 1998. She will face a Republican challenger in the Nov. election.

So far newcomer Karen McIlrath has been the only filer for the Republican nod. No other Democrats have filed for the seat which represents portions of the Carolina Forest, Myrtle Beach, Socastee and St. James attendance areas.

Dick Withington also decided to switch parties, and races Tuesday. Withington had spent the last six months running for the Democratic nod for the U.S. First Congressional District, which has attracted more than a dozen candidates from both parties since Rep. Henry Brown announced he will not seek re-election at the end of his term this year.

Withington announced last week that he would not file for that seat and announced this weekend that he would seek the District 5 Horry County Council seat. Withington said in a release that he spoke to party officials and friends and came to the decision to run as a Republican for the council seat. Withington has been a frequent candidate in several races over the last few years running as a Democrat in some races and a Republican in others.

Other Republicans looking for that seat include Robert Palmer and Paul Price, but several others have been rumored to be considering the seat left open by Howard Barnard, who has filed for the council chairman's race. Filing ends on March 30 at noon, so more candidates could file for both seats before that time.

Wallace announcement

Myrtle Beach City Councilman Randall Wallace has notified the press that he will be making an announcement tomorrow about his intentions in the First Congressional District race for the seat left open by U.S. Rep. Henry Brown's announcement that he will be retiring at the end of this session.

A group of local Horry County Republicans have been trying to coerce Wallace into entering the crowded race, where at least 15 candidates have said they want to be the next Congressman from our district. The Sun News couldn't reach Wallace Monday night and he's in a City Council meeting throughout the day. As soon as we know something, we'll post it to TheSunNews.com and here to Politick Tock, so check back for updates.

Filing update 3-22, Andre Bauer in town

Only two people added their names to the list of candidates filing for election over the weekend.

Democratic S.C. Reps. Vida Miller (Seat 108) and Carl Anderson (Seat 103), both filed for re-election with the Georgetown County Democrats on Saturday. With one week to go in the filing period, part officials have speculated that several people who have been watching to see who else files might finally jump in the race late this week or Monday of next.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who is vying for the seat of termed-out Gov. Mark Sanford, was in town Monday as part of a 15 stop fly-around announcing his candidacy for the seat. Bauer has been a dark horse candidate with high name recognition, polling in second place in many statewide polls over candidates for the seat. No mention of stray animals at his speech Monday, but Bauer did say people can expect him to cut social welfare programs in favor of not furloughing teachers etc. as needed, if he's elected.

Filing update from local parties 3-19

We've been checking in with local parties to gather an updated list of candidates who have filed for the 2010 election cycle.

-On Friday-

Democrats

Horry County School Board District 3

Johnny Evans

Horry County Council Chairman

Vincent Lehotsky

-On Thursday-

Republican

Horry County Council District 1

Harold Worley

-On Wednesday-

Democrat

S.C. Representative

District 58

Butch Johnson

Republican

Horry County Council District 5

Paul Price

We'll be checking in with the state parties on Monday for an updated list of what candidates filed for U.S. Congresesional districts 1 and 6, as well as governor.

Check back for updates throughout filing, which will close March 30 at noon.

Starter list of filers for the 2010 election

Here's a list of first day filers for local, state and federal races on the Grand Strand. Check back with the politics blog for updates throughout the next two weeks.

REPUBLICANS

S.C. Representative

District 58, Liston Barfield (incumbent)

District 68, Thad Viers (incumbent) and Bert von Herrmann

District 104, Tracy Edge (incumbent)

District 105, George Hearn (incumbent)

District 106, Nelson Hardwick (incumbent)

District 107, Alan Clemmons (incumbent)

District 108, Kevin Ryan

Horry County Council

Chairman, Howard Barnard

District 2, Brent Schulz (incumbent)

District 5, Robert Palmer

District 8, Carl Schwartzkopf (incumbent), and John Abercrombie

District 11, Al Allen (incumbent), and U.A. Johnson

Probate Judge, Diedre Edmonds (incumbent)

Horry County School Board

Chairman, Will Garland (incumbent)

District 2, Karen McIlrath

District 3, Joe DeFeo (incumbent)

District 6, Pam Timms (incumbent), and Blaine Garren

District 10, Neil James (incumbent)

Georgetown County Council

District 6, Barry McCall

15th Judicial Circuit Solicitor

Greg Hembree (incumbent)

U.S. Congressional District 1

Clark Parker

DEMOCRATS

Horry County Council

District 7, James Frazier

Horry County School Board

District 7, Paul Hudson

Councilmen jumping into Chairman's race

Horry County Councilman Bob Grabowski, District 6, announced that he will make a bid for the Republican nod for Chairman Friday.

Grabowski, the former vice chairman and the Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, said he felt his leadership and presence in the county would better serve the people of Horry County. See his announcement here.

District 5 Councilman Howard Barnard announced his bid for the seat in January, saying his familiarity with all three divisions -- public safety, administration, and infrastructure and regulations -- would give him a leg up to better serve the people. He noted his economic development plans as well. 

Current Chairwoman Liz Gilland has not officially announced whether or not she will seek re-election. District 9 Councilman Paul Prince, who was recently appointed vice chairman of the council, has also said he is considering a run, but has not announced whether he will seek the June Republican nod. 

Other residents have also been rumored to be considering a bid for the chairman's seat, and numerous candidates have come out to say they are running for the six other council seats up for election this year including Barnard's open District 5 seat. Grabowski would keep his seat in District 6 if he is defeated because his seat is not up for re-election this year. 

The Council Chairman runs at-large in the county.

Meet and greet with GOP delegation

The Grand Strand Young Republicans are hosting a meet and greet with the Republican members of the Horry County Legislative Delegation on  March 12  from 5:30 - 7  p.m. at the Texas Roadhouse Grill ,760 Coastal Grand Circle in Myrtle Beach.

The following Legislators have confirmed their attendance:

Rep.Alan Clemmons, District 107
Rep. Tracy Edge, District 104
Rep.Nelson Hardwick, District 106
Rep. George Hearn, District 105
Rep. Thad Viers, District 68

For more information e-mail GrandStrandYRs@gmail.com

Forum set for 11 Surfside Beach candidates

The public will get a chance to hear from the candidates running for the three seats on the Surfside Beach Town Council at a forum March 28.

The forum will be at 1:30 p.m. in council chambers at Surfside Beach Town Hall, 115 U.S. Highway 17 North in Surfside Beach. The forum is hosted by former Councilwoman Judy Tuttle, who will also moderate the event.

All 11 candidates running in the non-partisan elections have been invited. The elections are April 6.

The candidates are:

Scott Anderson; Anna "Ann" F. Dodge ; Rebecca Jean Hiatt; E. Shannon Kirk; Chad A. Perrino; Bill Rempfer; Marty Rhoades; Doug Samples; Jason R. Scully; Rod Smith; and Randle Stevens.

U.S. House candidate set to be in Litchfield

First Congressional District U.S House of Representatives candidate Stovall Witte, a Republican, will be at a meet and greet 1 p.m this Wednesday at Applewood's Restaurant in Litchfield Beach.

The public is invited. Contact Carl Faulk at 325-4970 for more information.

Jim Rex speaking to the Democrats

Don't forget -- S.C. Superintendent of Education Jim Rex will be the guest speaker at the Beach Dems breakfast, starting at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Akel's Restaurant at 65th Avenue North and Kings Highway.

There are no reservations required. The buffet breakfast costs $7 per person.

For more information, contact Sally P. Howard at 449-1936 or sallyphoward@aol.com.

Myrtle Beach candidate wants to meet you

Myrtle Beach City Council candidate Adam Parness will hold a meet-and-greet event from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Sugami restaurant, 4812 N. Kings Highway.

The free event is open to everyone.

This fall will present many chances to meet council candidates and hear them talk about why they believe they will be strong members of the city leadership team.

McMaster opens bid with swipe at governor

S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster launched his campaign website Monday, starting his official bid for the Republican nod for governor and in his first official message to voters took a swipe at Governor Mark Sanford.

Unlike the other politicians vying for the spot, who have stayed mum when answering questions about Sanford or his recent political woes due to personal scandal and questions about travel spending, McMaster started his campaign with a video message saying South Carolinians don't trust the governor and faulting the Obama administration for the state's unemployment issues.

To see the video ad, click on this link to McMaster's campaign page. The video plays on its own.

And they're off...

Keith Van Winkle, who ran unsuccessfully against Horry County Councilman Marion Foxworth last time around, has announced he will announce his candidacy for Myrtle Beach mayor at an event Tuesday.

Van Winkle is holding a rally from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Myrtle Beach Train Depot with free food and music, and said he will talk about crime, taxes, tourism and the local economy.

For more information, call Van Winkle at 467-0484 or e-mail him at vanwinkle4mbmayor@yahoo.com.

 

Governor Sanford's Communication Director to leave

Joel Sawyer, who was in the hot seat when S.C. Governor Mark Sanford disappeared for four days last month, announced his resignation from his position as Communications Director for the governor's office.

Gov. Sanford held a press conference upon his return announcing that he had been in Argentina with a woman he was having an affair with, again putting Sawyer on the hot seat to handle the media.

Sawyer sent out a news release about his own resignation early this afternoon.

National Journal awards S.C. state government dubious honor

The National Journal has taken a look at several factors in state governments around the country and come up with a list of governments that, well, aren't doing so hot right now. South Carolina, mostly due to the recent scandal in Gov. Mark Sanford's office, made the list of dysfunctional state governments at number five.

The good, the bad and the blunt -- Lindsey Graham

Our U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has been busy making headlines throughout the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee judge Sonia Sotomayor with one-off notables that reporters using Twitter to cover the hearings have grown to love.

Beach Dems talking taxes with city councilmember

The Beach Dems will meet for breakfast and to hear from guest speaker Myrtle Beach City Councilmember Wayne Gray, who will discuss the 1-cent sales tax proposal and potential elimination of property tax on owner-occupied homes.

The buffet and meeting starts at 8 a.m. Friday at Akel's restaurant on North Kings Highway. Breakfast is $7 per person and no reservations are required.

For more information, contact Sally P. Howard at 449-1936 or sallyphoward@aol.com.

Carolina Forest GOP club to meet

The Carolina Forest Republican Club will hear from Cameron Crawford, chief community director for Rep. Henry Brown, when it meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at China Buffet on North 38th Avenue in Myrtle Beach.

Club President Jamie Roberts said Crawford will discuss immigration, pensions, veterans' affairs and Social Security, and will answer questions from the audience.

The meeting is open to all.

For more information, call Roberts at 424-3104.

Casual atmosphere as Atlantic Beach votes

In striking contrast to its recent elections, an air of nonchalance reigned over Atlantic Beach today as voters trickled to the polls for a Town Council special election.

By early afternoon, only 33 votes had been cast as residents chose between Josephine Isom, John Sketers and Kantrese Wright to fill the vacancy on the Town Council left by Retha Pierce's election to mayor in January. The high-tension atmosphere of that election -- with its series of Supreme Court orders, campaigning complaints, contested ballots and even contested candidates -- was largely absent today.