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Posted on 04/28/2009 7:17:09 PM PDT by LdSentinal
REPUBLICAN HOLDS HOUSE DISTRICT 30 SEAT FOR FIRST TIME IN AT LEAST 30 YEARS
For the first time in at least 30 years, folks in South Carolina State House District 30 will have a Republican representative.
GOP nominee Steve Moss beat out Democrat Tim Spencer Tuesday by seven points to win the Cherokee County seat left vacant by late Rep. Olin Phillips.
“I’m overjoyed at what we have been able to accomplish today and what we will continue to accomplish in Columbia,” Moss told The Palmetto Scoop. “This was a team effort and I want to thank everyone who helped out.”
The race between Moss and Spencer saw a number of high profile endorsements. Spencer picked up support from athletes Gaylord Perry and Sidney Rice while Moss won the backing of former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.
But, in the end, it was Moss who walked away with a 53-46 victory… with the help of a few friends, of course.
Those friends included the current South Carolina Republican Party Chairman, Katon Dawson, the likely next Chairman, Karen Floyd, and South Carolina National Republican Committeeman Glenn McCall.
Dawson, who has won eight straight special elections since 2007, called Moss’ victory “an encouraging sign for the Republican Party as we build towards next year’s general election.”
Noted Dawson, “Steve Moss ran a positive campaign offering conservative solutions to our toughest challenges. In contrast, the Democrats and their candidate ran a campaign based on personal attacks, and the voters overwhelmingly rejected these negative tactics.”
House Speaker Bobby Harrell was quick to welcome Moss to the House, adding that “I would like to let the residents of District 30 know that their representative has a seat waiting for him at the leadership table when he gets here.”
Moss’ win increases the Republicans’ margin in the state House to 20 votes, a significant advantage that is not lost on House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham.
“By picking up this seat from the Democrats, it gives us a major boost heading into next November’s general election, when the House Republican Caucus will be laser focused on picking up more seats in similar districts,” Bingham said. “A positive campaign based on the issues people care about will beat the gutter campaign every time.”
McCall echoed the excitement of Republicans across the state with a specific emphasis on the future of the party.
“I feel this kind of grassroots work is what Republicans need to do,” said McCall, who helped with calls, did poll watching, made sure process was fair. “It’s a great time for Republicans here in Gaffney and it’s encouraging for Republicans everywhere in this state.
“It was a total team effort and the grassroots really won this.”
A good omen. A very good omen.
What area of the state is this and why has there been no republican elected there in 30 years?
But then, I've always seen the glass half full......
Acorn missed picking up some of their nuts.
Cherokee County in Upstate South Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte actually. The area has been trending Republican, but the former legislator (Olin Phillip-Democrat) was very popular representing that seat for 28 years.
Glad to see Moss take the seat. Spencer is your typical Democrat. Dirty dealings with our local sheriff, who is also a Democrat. I’m sure, from what I know about Moss, he will serve us Cherokee County residents and all of South Carolina well!
Good news! Thanks for posting. I like your optimism, basil! I’m usually that way...but being from Michigan...stuff here has been getting to me lately.
I'll BTTTTT! (BUMP-TO-THE-TOP-TO-THAT!)
Well that is a little comfort in a sea of socialism.
Well, you need to stop watching MSNBC and CNN.
Katon Dawson bags another win for the party in SC. Why the HELL is this man not our national chairman ?
The stupid county club membership thing may have played a bigger role than I thought. It would have “looked bad” if they voted down Steele for Dawson.
Blackwell backed Steele for RNC Chair. Many GOP delegates might have voted for Dawson if Blackwell back him instead.
Also, some operatives felt the GOP is too identified with Dixie and want to be more than a regional party.
Some liberals are savoring the idea of Dawson being replaced by Steele. It will allow the media to once again tout how backward the GOP is. America elected a black president. The RNC kicked out a black man in favor of a Dixie “racist”.
Trending Republican, eh? Any chance of ever knocking off John Spratt?
Might be a fine idea to redistrict him out of his seat in 2012 (especially if SC gets a 7th seat).
every win helps.
free dixie,sw
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