Incumbents have been slower to file with their political parties in Horry and Georgetown counties this season. Robert Rabon, Chairman of the Horry County Republican Party said incumbents normally file early to show they have a strong commitment to the race.
``We normally have incumbents file in the first few days,'' he said. ``I do know that a few of them have been held up with other things. I think by the weekend most of them will have made it in.''
Filings with the Horry and Georgetown political parties began on Sunday and will continue through the end of March. Although most of the filings have been incumbents at this early stage, there have been a few challengers and surprises. We'll continue to post new filings on Politick-tock and on C2 of the print edition until the filing period closes. The following is a list of people who had filed as of 4:00 p.m.
Georgetown Republicans are inviting their party's candidates for President to come make a last-minute pitch before the state primary.
Invitations have just been issued, so candidates have yet to confirm, said Georgetown Republican Chairman Tom Swatzel. The Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney campaigns, however, have said their candidates will either appear in person or send a surrogate, Swatzel said.
The rally is set for Jan. 16, a critical point in the Republican nominating contest. Iowa and New Hampshire will have already had their primaries, the only two prior to South Carolina's officially sanctioned by the party. The day before the Georgetown event, Michigan will have had its unsanctioned primary, and the South Carolina primary is Jan. 19.
"Coming three days in advance of the all-important state Republican primary, this will certainly be a good opportunity for the campaigns to get the last word in with our active Republican voters," Swatzel said.
Candidates should have ample incentive to attend, Swatzel said. The Grand Strand has a large population of Republican voters, and candidates are likely to be in the state anyway, campaigning in the final days before the primary. He said he hopes the event will draw enough interest to be broadcast.
"I'd like to think the candidates will find this a good venue for getting their message out," Swatzel said.
What | Grand Strand Republicans' rally for Presidential candidates
When | 7 p.m. January 16
Where | Tara Ballroom, Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort, 14276 Highway 17, Pawley's Island
Tickets | $10 in advance
For more info | In Georgetown, Jim Jerow, (843) 237-9456. In Horry, Bill Blankenship, (843) 421-7324
Presidential Candidate Ron Paul’s campaign said he will participate in the Georgetown County straw poll on July 28, according to a release from the county Republican party.
A straw poll is simply an unofficial vote, but in modern American politics it usually doubles as a fund-raiser. Participants in straw polls, like the one that’ll be held in Georgetown County, usually must buy tickets, and that ticket gives them the right to cast a vote.
There are usually a limited number of tickets for straw polls – which means they can be great places for political hijinks. Sometimes one candidates’ supporters will buy up all the tickets. Or maybe a candidate’s supporters happen to be busy that day.
That’s why sometimes some candidates will abstain from the events.
See this article on decisions by Sen. John McCain and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani to skip perhaps the most famous straw poll in the nation, in Ames, Iowa, and this column about what that says about the straw poll.
The Georgetown County Republican Party said it has sold almost 200 tickets, which cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under - though only people who will be old enough to vote in the presidential election in November 2008 will be allowed to vote at the straw poll. There will be a barbecue lunch. Other participants include former Sen. Fred Thompson and Daniel Gilbert of North Carolina.
What | Georgetown County Republican Party Straw Poll
When | Event starts at 11 a.m. July 28, voting will be at 3 p.m.
Where | Waccamaw High School auditorium in Pawleys Island
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