Charleston Currents

BRACK: Will the Year of the Woman impact S.C. governor’s race?

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Strap in. The silly season is creeping up on us.

South Carolina’s primary elections are less than two months away. You’re about to get inundated with campaign literature, commercials, emails and lots of junk, particularly from gubernatorial candidates.

Up until now, the 2018 race for governor has been anything but titillating. In fact, it’s been pretty tame and dull. But that’s expected, in one sense because early campaign time is devoted mostly to raising enough money so candidates can stir up the party faithful later. And that “later” is now beginning.

by Andy Brack · 04/23/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views

Pamela Evette, flanked by Gov. Henry McMaster. Source: McMaster campaign video.

BRACK: Time will tell if governor’s running mate gamble pays off

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Gov. Henry McMaster made a strategic political decision this week. Whether it’s good or bad remains to be seen, but it certainly surprised the establishment in Columbia.

McMaster announced a political neophyte, Ohio native Pamela Evette – a Travelers Rest business executive who moved to South Carolina in 2005 – would be his running mate in next year’s gubernatorial race.

That is, if he wins the GOP party nomination. Three other political animals – Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant of Anderson, former Lt. Gov. Yancey McGill of Kingstree and former agency head Catherine Templeton of Mount Pleasant (who also has never held elected office) – want to be the Republican standard bearer at the top of the 2018 ticket.

by Andy Brack · 12/04/2017 · 1 comment · Andy Brack, Views

BRACK: Despite challengers, McMaster favored in 2018 governor’s race

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | After mentioning the lieutenant governor was probably going to jump into the 2018 race for governor, the guy – a well-educated professional with at least two college degrees – asked, “Who’s the lieutenant governor?”

“Kevin Bryant,” I replied.

“Then who’s the governor?” he asked.

“Henry McMaster.”

“O.K. I’ve heard of him.”

Therein lies the challenge for the growing field of Republicans with gubernatorial aspirations: McMaster, while not brimming with strength, has buckets of name recognition earned from three decades in state politics, including eight years as attorney general, eight years as head of the state GOP, and statewide campaigns for U.S. Senate, lieutenant governor and governor.

by Andy Brack · 07/31/2017 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views

S.C. Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster giving a nomination speech at the 2016 GOP convention.

BRACK: A look at Henry McMaster as governor

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | The Palmetto State is still rocking from last week’s earthquake announcement that S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley will leave office to be the country’s ambassador to the United Nations in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.

by Andy Brack · 11/28/2016 · 1 comment · Andy Brack, Views

BRACK: Political cockfighting starts over next year’s budget

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Political positioning has already started for next year’s state budget, not that you should be surprised.

The culprits are two big numbers causing some confusion before the debate even begins.

Last month, the state Board of Economic Advisors projected South Carolina lawmakers would have about $440 million in new revenues for the 2017-18 budget. It’s not the $1.2 billion they had to craft the current budget, but it’s not small potatoes either. The lower number — which would have been a dream come true during the Great Recession a few years ago — reflects a slowing economy, perhaps. But it’s important to note this: The economy is still growing.

by Andy Brack · 09/05/2016 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views