State Sen. Robert Ford, one of the Lowcountry’s most established and colorful political figures, stepped down today as the Senate Ethics Committee was finishing up its review into his campaign spending. Posted on 05/31/2013 12:13:53 PM PDT by upchuck
State Sen. Robert Ford, one of the Lowcountry’s most established and colorful political figures, stepped down today as the Senate Ethics Committee was finishing up its review into his campaign spending.
The Charleston Democrat began his political career as an outspoken black leader who butted heads with Mayor Joe Riley and others in Charleston’s political establishment but evolved into a leader who touted his close ties with influential Republican Senate colleagues.
His resignation came as the Senate Ethics Committee began discussing the final four of eight allegations today.
Its findings are expected to be posted online soon, Sen. John Courson said at today’s hearing.
Ford has held the Senate seat for 20 years and previously served on Charleston City Council. He did not attend the hearing today after spending last night in the hospital, his attorney William Runyon said.
Ford has cardiovascular problems, Runyon said. He had chest pains after a stressful day yesterday and spent the night in Baptist Hospital. He was released this morning, and will follow up with a Charleston cardiologist.
On Thursday, Ford began the fight for his political career when he faced allegations that he spent campaign funds on personal expenses, including purchases at adult stores.
Runyon said he expected more discussion on “expenses, checks and receipts” today.
Questions about the purchases at adult stores yesterday didn’t surprise Runyon, he said, because he knew they were coming.
Ford said the purchases were gag gifts for campaign workers and the purchases were legal.
Runyon said Ford’s problem is poor record keeping. “Nobody would accuse Robert Ford of having any kind of system,” he said. “A lot of folks know how to serve the community but don’t know how to keep their records straight.”
His resignation will result in the Lowcountry’s third high profile election in a year.
Filing for Ford’s old Senate 42 seat could open on June 21 and close July 1, State Election Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire said.
Any primaries would be held on Aug. 13, and the special election itself would be held Oct. 1.
The black-majority seat contains portions of downtown Charleston, West Ashley and North Charleston.
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Isn’t this racist?
“....one of the Lowcountry’s most established and colorful political figures....”
Now let’s figure out how to overturn the Senior Senator’s (yes, that’s you, Linda) seat.
What is it with Black politicians and ethics? (I,e., lack of them)
Should not it be?
One quick look at their constituencies tells the story. Often they represent districts with neighborhoods full of people who don't care a whit about ethics, so long as the goodies keep coming in.
Colorful, in the race-pimping vein?
Black democrat Tyrone Brooks in GA is under investigation, too. He swears it’s because he’s investigating black lynchings way back when.
Reminds me of the end of Reconstruction when the criminals, Scalawags and Yankee Carpetbaggers were run out of office! God bless Wade Hampton, CW hero and 1st post-recon Governor of the great state of South Carolina!
Sounds like the folks in recordkeeping at the White House. All I've heard today is that Shulman only went to the WH 11 times, not the 157 that was quoted from Secret Service records.
I think the reporting on that came from The Atlantic.
Wow! A democrat who has the decency to resign instead of making excuses and denying everything when caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Who would have thunk it?
Lol! Amusing, everybody would be screaming racism if a Republican had suggested he didn't understand finance laws or was bad with money. But his defense boils down to, "Iz just poor black man tryin' ta help my fellow brothaz, Iz don't know nothin bout them fancy campaign finance law'z in such..."
At least the article mentioned his party affiliation in the first paragraph,
not the last.
Well they can’t all be Robert Smalls.
“A lot of folks know how to serve the community but don’t know how to keep their records straight.”
They bought porn and Rolex’s but they don’t know how much. Yeah, I want them handling the finances of the country.
Face it, these community servers can’t keep their hands out of the till. We need to legalize bribery and theft so they can serve the community.
They work hard to get in that position and expect to be rewarded, which they justify by saying they are trying to “get over” as if they are working 3 jobs and raising a family.
The problem is that the lack of oversight by the media makes them sloppy.
What flag is that on his lapel? It’s not a US flag.
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