I really fear this could happen, too. My husband and I are hoping (within the next few years if possible) to get the heck out of The People's Socialist Republik of Connecticut. So far South Carolina is #1 on our list.
Last time we were there, we met a LOT of people who had recently re-located there from the north, particularly from Ohio. Made me a bit uneasy... I just hope they're conservatives (I couldn't tell).
That's all we would need... to spend a ton of $$$ re-locating to a Red State, only to find out it has turned into a Blue or Purple State. :-(
IMO, South Carolina will be deep purple like North Carolina within eight years. The generations that built South Carolina's conservative reputation are dying off. Immigrants from other states and nations bring their political views. SC's economy statewide is poor(we are basically Mexico to BMW, Michelin,and Boeing). The state GOP talks the conservative talk but are nothing more than tax and spend despots. Add in huge unfunded state/local governmental pensions and looming unfunded Federal mandates, no wonder that South Carolina is listed among the fiscal death spiral states in Forbes magazine. This of course will lead to more Federal dependency and constituents of the Progressives. Not to say that SC has not had a great run however. Mississippi or Alabama look like the states that will stay Red the longest.
“particularly from Ohio”
Hilton Head is Ohio south and many don’t seem to realize that they are part of the problem.