Graham opponent has impressive fundraising haul

politicalticker.com ^ | 4/8/14 | Peter Hamby

[cotton1706]

Could Sen. Lindsey Graham finally have a credible primary challenger in South Carolina?

Det Bowers, a politically-connected Columbia pastor, collected over $417,000 in the two months since he made a late entry into the GOP Senate primary in February, a source close to the first-time candidate told CNN.

That sum pales in comparison to the war chest amassed by Graham, who raised $8 million as of the last reporting period and has already run a slew of television ads, but it’s the most substantial fundraising haul to date for any of the senator’s six little-known conservative primary challengers.

That Bowers raised the money in the span of just two months, nearly all of it from in-state donors, makes the figure even more impressive. Bowers, though, has devoted nearly all of his time to fundraising and remains something of a non-entity on the campaign trail. He’s had few public events and even fewer interactions with the media.

Still, with the June 10 primary fast approaching, Bowers’ fundraising total could persuade hesitant outside groups to get involved in the race.

Well-funded conservative organizations eager to unseat Graham, outfits like the Club for Growth and FreedomWorks, have been eyeing the race to see if any of his challengers gain traction, either financially or in the polls. But no candidate has managed to break free and emerge as a singular threat to Graham, and none have raised the kind of money needed to beat him.

If no candidate wins a majority of the vote in the primary, the top two finishers will face a two-week runoff election.

[cotton1706]

I really don't know anything about this guy.

[bert]

He has raised money.
He is a preacher.
He opposes Lindsey

[Slings and Arrows]

Linda ping.

[C. Edmund Wright]

He has money.
He’s a former Democrat.
He ran SC Dukakis Campaign.

I wouldn’t trust his preaching, his politics, or his donor list.
Likely a plant.

[C. Edmund Wright]

He is a preacher

So is Al Sharpton, Jeremiah Wright, Jim Bakker, Mike Mourdock, Jesse Jackson, Mike Hucksterbee…………...

[bert]

That is not a criticism. The poster wanted to know what do we know about the candidate.

I would suspect the man is a real preacher, more than just a title and outstretched collection plate like some you noted.

[Gaffer]

Likely, possible he is a secretly funded plant. However, if his entry helps force Graham into a runoff, and he isn’t one of the top two, is it harmful?

If this does happen, all this secret (actually unpublicized) information could be brought out to diminish his support.

[don-o]

Likely a plant.

Plant? I got yer plant right here!

Exclusive: Suspicion Surrounds Candidacy of Lamar Alexander's Donor 'Friend,' Dr. George Flinn

[C. Edmund Wright]

yes, I agree with all of that…..frankly, folks I know who are involved in this race have no idea what Bowers is up to, except to get name recognition in this race to pave the way for an easier run for his congressional district later.

[C. Edmund Wright]

I’ve no real insight into the man’s soul of course - but it’s a long long way from being a big Dukakis operative to being a preacher and then to being a supposedly conservative politician. Maybe there’s a compelling story that explains it all, but I’ve yet to see it…..

[cotton1706]

“He has money.
He’s a former Democrat.
He ran SC Dukakis Campaign.”

Aha. I figured if anybody would know, you would.

Definitely a plant then. Looks like they’re trying to get one of their own second place so Lindsey can breeze through the runoff. How’s Bright’s fundraising? I’ve been looking for that.

[C. Edmund Wright]

Yeah, I have some insight into the NC and SC races this cycle. Cannot define this guy though. Opportunistic it seems to me.

Bright’s fundraising has picked up, but he needs your help still. www.Brightforsenate.com

[libstripper]

His being a preacher bothers me. Such men can easily confuse theology and gynecology with disastrous results for themselves, the tea party, and Republican campaigns. I really want to contribute to an organization that’s dedicated to defeating Lindsey and not immediately contribute to any one of his opponents. I’ll contribute to an individual opponent once Lindsey is forced into a runoff.

[libstripper]

You’ve just given six EXCELLENT reasons for not supporting him.

[montag813]

Way too many opponents = victory for Mrs. Graham.

Wanna bet this preacher is a plant paid with Lindsay donors? I all but guarantee it.

[upchuck]

Way too many opponents = victory for Mrs. Graham.

Actually, in South Carolina, the more opponents, the better.

If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote in the primary, a runoff will be held between the top two vote-getters.

Voters who voted in a party's primary, can vote only in the runoff of the same party. Voters who did not vote in the primary, may vote in either party's runoff.

The primary is for Democratic and Republican candidates only. Candidates running unopposed for their Party's nomination will not appear on primary ballots.

Voters may not vote in a political party's runoff if they voted in another political party's primary. However, voters who did not vote in either politicial party's primary may vote in either politicial party's runoff.

A defeated primary candidate may not actively offer or campaign as a write-in candidate for the ensuing election. The use of posters or stickers on the ballot is not permitted. The voting machine provides for a voter to write-in a candidate. Write-in votes are not allowed in primary elections or the election of President or Vice-president.

While the state permits fusion (a candidate may be nominated by multiple parties), if a candidate runs for and looses a primary (of any party), the candidate cannot appear on the November ballot.

Source.

[upchuck]

Thanks for the ping.

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[Din Maker]

Bowers, though, has devoted nearly all of his time to fundraising and remains something of a non-entity on the campaign trail. He’s had few public events and even fewer interactions with the media.

Uh oh.... Another Steve Stockman; maybe? Running in an election just to raise money that he will hold onto and use for personal debts in the future?

[Din Maker]

Former South Carolina GOP Chairman Barry Wynn said Bowers can present a serious challenge to Graham. Bowers is an "interesting candidate, and you have to list him as somebody who has some credibility," Wynn told The State. "He makes it more likely that you might have a runoff."

I know nothing about the guy, but the more the merrier. I like a crowded field. And, whoever is in the run-off with Graham has a chance to win if the people of SC really want rid of Lindsey Graham. As long as his run-off opponent is not Satan's brother-in-law, the people of SC need to vote for anybody but Graham. If they don't, then screw them. They deserve who they vote for.

[Din Maker]

Wanna bet this preacher is a plant paid with Lindsay donors? I all but guarantee it.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
I’d bet you if I could gamble righteously. I don’t think he is a plant and I think Lindsey Graham craps his pants every time someone else enters the race. The more people running, the more likely there will be a run-off.