South Carolinians Cast Votes for Strong, Fiscally Conservative Leadership

Tonight, South Carolina voters chose a majority of SC Club for Growth PAC’s endorsed candidates. “The big winners tonight are Governor Mark Sanford and South Carolina taxpayers eager to see their state government reformed,” said Matt Moore, executive director of SC Club for Growth. “The clear message from voters is that they want their legislators to start working with Governor Sanford to eliminate wasteful spending and reform our inefficient government structure.”

“In the past few months, our endorsed candidates demonstrated their commitment to fiscally conservative principles and the voters have responded. This election was about more than just changing the failed status-quo in Columbia,” said Moore. “It was about a new generation of leaders who believe South Carolina can once again be the envy of our nation.”

In the Senate, a number of Republican challengers defeated incumbent senators who have consistentally stood against Governor Sanford. Reformer Tom Davis defeated incumbent Catherine Ceips in the night’s biggest Senate win. Others, like Sanford allies Phil Shoopman and Mick Mulvaney won the Republican nomination with no opposition.

On the House side, nearly 18% of the Republican caucus chose not to run for re-election this year causing House Speaker Bobby Harrell to recently say that “It could be a record year in terms of new members coming in….because so many members are not seeking re-election.” (The State, 3/10/08). In a number of these open seats, the winning candidates ran on a platform of supporting Governor Sanford’s agenda.

Even after so many retirerements, a significant number of Republican House incumbents were still defeated by reform-minded fiscal conservatives. The biggest House win of the night was Joey Millwood beating House Education Committee Chairman Bob Walker.

The South Carolina Club for Growth, which supports strong fiscal conservatives who run for the state legislature, is proud to have played a significant role this year’s primary elections. SC Club for Growth members not only donated time but a significant amount of money to endorsed candidates. SC Club for Growth PAC also sent direct mailings that highlighted the abysmal fiscal records of some opposed candidates.

The South Carolina Club for Growth is a group of citizens dedicated to expanding the prosperity of working families through the Reagan Doctrine of lower taxes, smaller government and strong free enterprise. As the South Carolina chapter for a rapidly growing national organization, we are committed to seeing that South Carolinians regain their voice in state politics.