PoliTick-Tock

November elections on the chopping block

South Carolina might have to scramble to figure out how to pay for November elections now that new economic figures are showing that South Carolina made even less than previously expected during the fiscal year that ended in June, a state representative said today.

The Board of Economic Advisors revised their predictions again on Monday.

S.C. Rep. Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach, said the money is going to have to come from somewhere, and the supplemental budget - which includes funding for the November elections - is likely to be cut drastically, if not completely.

Debate full of fireworks

By Mike Cherney

Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach, and County Council Chairwoman Liz Gilland, who is challenging Rankin for his senate seat in District 33 in the Republican primary June 10, sparred over who would be the best person to safeguard public dollars at a debate today in Conway.

Rankin questioned whether economic development trips that Gilland took last year to China, Japan and Germany, paid for with her council expense account or by other organizations that receive public funding, was a good use of public dollars.

Gilland fired back that Rankin does not do enough to ensure that public money is being spent wisely in Columbia, pointing to state earmark such as about $75,000 to clean a statue at Francis Marion University, Gilland said.

Gilland, Rankin square off today

Two major Grand Strand political players facing off in a primary for a state senate seat will debate today at Shoney's Restaurant on U.S. 501 in Conway.

Horry County Council Chairwoman Liz Gilland is challenging incumbent Sen. Luke Rankin in the Republican primary on June 10.

The debate will be at 12:15 p.m.

Check back with MyrtleBeachOnline.com for more about the debate.

Full menu of political fare

If you haven't yet had your fill of chicken bog or campaign promises, there's a full slate of political events over the next week.

• Coroner Robert Edge's re-election committee will have a fundraising dinner Sunday at Luigi's Trattoria. The cost is $50 per person or $75 per couple, with the meal, soft drinks and tax and tip included.

WHEN | 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

WHERE | Luigi's Trattoria, 503 61st Ave N, Myrtle Beach.

MORE INFO | John Bonsignor, 385-3963.

• On Monday, the Horry County Democratic Party is holding a "Meet the Democratic Candidate Forum" in Conway. Enthusiastic demonstrations of support are encouraged, but surrogate speakers are not allowed.

WHEN | 6 p.m. Monday.

WHERE | Bethel AME Church at the corner of Racepath and Smith Streets in Conway.

MORE INFO | Racepath1horry@aol.com.

• Also, don't forget a slew of other events, posted below on this blog: today's Republican debate hosted by the South Strand Republican Club, Monday's Campaign Whistle Stop hosted by the Myrtle Beach Republicans, and the "Luke vs. Liz" debate hosted by the Conway Federation of Republican Women.

Democrats sue to get candidate off ballot

A Republican seeking the state Senate seat representing North Myrtle Beach filed using two bogus addresses, and should be taken off the ballot, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday by the state Democratic Party.

William McKown previously served on the Surfside Beach Town Council from 2004 until January, when he resigned to take a position on a state aeronautics board. He could not be reached for comment Thursday at the mobile number he filed with elections officials.

According to the complaint, McKown applied for voter registration using an address of 521 48th Ave. S, North Myrtle Beach. On his candidacy form with election officials, McKown listed as his residence 2504 S. Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach.

The 48th Avenue address, Democrats say, is an unoccupied property still under construction where no permits have been filed, and the Ocean Boulevard address is ``apparently vacant and is listed with a rental agency that secures short-term vacation rentals,'' according to their news release.

"If Mr. McKown can't figure out where he lives, he certainly shouldn't be a state Senator," state Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler said in the release. "He apparently lives outside the district, but he thought no one would notice if he made up an address within the district as his legal residence. The voters of Horry County deserve an honest Senator, not someone who is willing to disregard the law in order to get elected."

Senate District 28 is held by state Sen. Dick Elliott, a Democrat. McKown was the only Republican to file.

More campaign fun, MB GOP-style

The Myrtle Beach Republican Club is hosting a "Campaign Whistle Stop," inviting all GOP candidates to the Historic Myrtle Beach Train Depot for a night of chicken bog and campaigning.

Republican candidates for U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, South Carolina House and Senate, Horry County Council, Auditor, Treasurer, Clerk of Court, Coroner and Sheriff are all invited. 

Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. and campaign speeches start an hour later Monday, May 19 at the train depot, 851 Broadway St., Myrtle Beach.

For further information, contact Mary Henry at 444-4364 or myrtlebeachrepublicanclub@gmail.com.

Viers quotes presidents in radio spot

A new radio advertisement by state Rep. Thad Viers' re-election campaign features the Republican lawmaker from Myrtle Beach using quotes from two former Presidents to support his fight against illegal immigration.

Viers first invokes John Quincy Adams' aphorism that "Who we are is who we were" -- originally part of his 1840 defense of the Africans who revolted on board the slave ship Amistad. Viers then quotes Teddy Roosevelt in 1907 saying, "We have room for but one flag and one language and sole loyalty to the American people."

"That kind of commitment to our constitution has been at the core of my leadership on illegal immigration and on every important issue,'' Viers concludes.

In the June 10 Republican primary, Viers faces former Horry County school board chairwoman Helen Smith and Realtors' association representative Steven Neeves.

No Democrats filed in Viers' District 68.

Stump to honor Clyburn, Spratt

The historic Galivants Ferry Stump will be held May 12 in honor of U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn and U.S. Rep. John Spratt, organizers announced today.

The Galivants Ferry Stump Speaking, founded in 1876 by the Holliday family, brings politicians and residents together every two years.

The 2008 stump will be held at Pee Dee Farms, the century-old general store in Galivants Ferry, on U.S. 501 where it crosses the Little Pee Dee River.

Bluegrass music and clogging will begin at 4:30 p.m. and local, state and national Democratic candidates will begin speaking at 6 p.m., according to a release from the families of Joseph Holliday and John Monroe Holliday.

filings update

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 for office

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.