The South Carolina Club for Growth State Action PAC is pleased to announce an 82% winning percentage in its first full general election season, culminating in the election of three constitutional officers and six state House members, with two additional races still too close to call.  Combining tonight’s results with this spring’s primaries, when we won 8 of our 12 races, shows that we have won a stunning 17 of the 21 races in which we were involved.  Given that we specifically chose very competitive races, the 2006 results demonstrate the growing influence of the Club and our members in South Carolina.

“We are pleased that the voters of South Carolina spoke with such a united voice today for our message of smaller government, lower taxes and free market reform.  Tonight’s victories by all three of our statewide candidates running for Budget and Control Board seats will directly lead to greater fiscal responsibility.  In addition, the election of our six new State House members will mean one of the most conservative freshman classes in recent memory,” said Joshua Gross, Executive Director of the South Carolina Club for Growth.

“We are gratified that our growing statewide network of donors has been able to have this kind of an impact this quickly, raising over $200,000 from hundreds of South Carolinians in this election cycle,” added Club Chairman Chad Walldorf.  “We look forward to working with our statewide officials and the Legislature to enact the much needed reforms that will help ensure our state’s financial health and future.”

The South Carolina Club for Growth PAC saw victories on Tuesday in 9 races:

•    Governor Mark Sanford, who defeated Sen. Tommy Moore;
•    Richard Eckstrom, who defeated Drew Theodore;
•    Thomas Ravenel, our former Board Member who knocked off the incumbent Treasurer;
•    Don Bowen, District 8 (Anderson);
•    Jeff Duncan, District 15 (Clinton);
•    Phillip Shoopman, District 18 (Greer);
•    Mick Mulvaney, District 45 (Lancaster);
•    Phillip Lowe, District 60 (Florence); and
•    Kris Crawford, District 63 (Florence).

Additionally, the returns for Karen Floyd (Superintendent of Education) and Danny Stacy (District 29) remain too close to call, with a number of absentee and provisional ballots remaining.

The South Carolina Club for Growth State Action PAC is the premier donor network of fiscal conservatives in South Carolina.  We bring the resources of hundreds of conservative donors to bear on the statewide and legislative races that have the potential to make a difference in the way our state is operated.  We are a political organization dedicated to improving the income, wealth, and education of people in South Carolina by helping elect candidates who will be leaders in the fight for economic growth, lower taxes, and smaller government.  The Club honors the legacy and policies of Ronald Reagan, educating the public to put sound economic thinking back into politics.