2010 South Carolina GOP Primaries: My Endorsements
On June 8th, my great state of South Carolina will hold Republican primaries. The GOP will choose candidates for the entire slate of statewide offices as well as candidates for Congress and the State General Assembly. For the first time in a long time, South Carolina Republicans aren’t just choosing the lesser of two evils. In many races, the GOP will be electing the best of many goods.
Because of this strong slate of candidates, it’s taken me quite a while to make decisions. But now I’m ready (for the most part), so here’s the official Cory Truax endorsements. My pick is in bold on the list of candidates, and an explanation follows. Whether you agree or not with my choices, GET OUT AND VOTE on June 8th.
GOVERNOR
Congressman Gresham Barrett
Lt. Gov Andre Bauer
Rep. Nikki Haley
Attorney General Henry McMaster
Originally, I did make an endorsement in this race. After new information came to light, I have decided to endorse no one for the June 8th primary. When the inevitable run-off comes two weeks later, I will revisit this race.
Moreover, the rhetoric has become so heated, I’m not even going to give commentary here on any candidate. Any time I have, I’ve gotten verbally assaulted from all angles. I’ve been called a RINO and far-right nut job for endorsing the SAME candidate.
LT. GOVERNOR
Ken Ard
Bill Connor
Eleanor Kitzman
Larry Richter
This was the easiest. Bill Connor is a dynamic leader with profound experiences. An Afghan war vet and attorney, a father and husband, he speaks the language of small government, low taxes, and economic growth. Moreover, we need to replace Lindsey Graham. Four years as Lt. Gov would be the perfect platform to introduce one of our finest citizens to the country as Senator Connor later on.
4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Solicitor Trey Gowdy
Congressman Bob Inglis
Dr. Christina Jeffrey
Jim Lee
David Thomas
The only thing I knew for sure when this race began was that the incumbent had to go. Bob Inglis would be the perfect representative for some moderate GOP district in Pennsylvania or Maryland, but not here. We are the heart of conservatism, and the 4th Congressional District deserves better representation.
I don’t actually get to vote in this one, but if I did, Jim Lee would be my choice. Gowdy and Jeffrey are fine choices, and the current version of David Thomas is a strong candidate. However, Jim Lee stands out among them as a citizen Congressman.
He understands the 4th District from a citizen perspective. He understands and gets small business. He appreciates the free-market solutions for job creation. Also a member of our armed services, I think he would be better able to represent the district’s feelings on Afghanistan, Iraq, and the War on Terror.
3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Richard Cash
Neal Collins
Jeff Duncan
Joe Grimaud
Rex Rice
Mike Vaskovski
Having a bunch of great candidates makes choices hard. I’m not going to make an outright endorsement here, but after having seen all six on stage for a debate, I feel like I have a fairly accurate assessment of each.
Vaskovski is a good candidate, and is the Ron Paul-type in the race. Joe Grimaud is an impressive man and has compelling ideas. But neither man has a shot.
Of the top tier in the race, we have some impressive candidates. Specifically, I want to emphasize Neal Collins and Jeff Duncan.
Either one would make a worthy and effective Congressman for the 3rd District. I’m inspired by Collin’s youth balanced with a strong intellectual command of issues. He’s energetic, tenacious, and I believe he’d genuinely work hard as a Congressman.
Jeff Duncan has lots of experience under his belt. That experience has become a liability for a lot of candidates in this election cycle. But I’ve been impressed with his ideas and presentation as well.
I likely won’t present an endorsement on this one either until the inevitable run-off.
From here, I’ll leave out the explanations, but feel free to ask questions or comment on this page.
SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION
Brent Nelson
Kelly Payne
Mick Zais
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Robert Bolchoz
Leighton Lord
Alan Wilson
TREASURER
Converse Chellis
Curtis Loftis
17TH SC HOUSE DISTRICT
Rep. Harry Cato
Tom Corbin
Nathan Earle
26TH SC HOUSE DISTRICT
Eric Bikas
Henry Wilson
10 SC HOUSE DISTRICT
Dan Cooper
Josh Putnam
Indeed and of course, there are other races, like the always-thrilling Adjutant General campaign. I’ll do my homework before heading to the polls, and I encourage you to as well on those races.
If I left out a race you think need mention, just post it. Happy voting!
Please Share This Story!Cory Truax @ May 5, 2010
