Thursday, May 9, 2013
Satirist said he's turning his back on South Carolina.
On his comedy show Wednesday evening, Stephen Colbert bemoaned the loss of his sister Elizabeth to Mark Sanford in Tuesday's special election for the First Congressional District seat. "The Colbert Report" host said he felt betrayed by his home state and now would consider himself to be a native of North Carolina. Being a Tar Heel, Colbert said, meant he now preferred vinegar-based barbecue to mustard-based barbecue. His attempt to sample the former version was about as successful as his sister's campaign. The satirist also said the results have caused him to have an epiphany about the nature of campaigning. Keep up with all of Patch's coverage of South Carolina politics by following us on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Longtime Republican district stays that way after special election.
Elizabeth Colbert Busch came up short in her bid to become the first Democrat to represent the First Congressional District in more than 30 years. Colbert Busch was defeated by Republican Mark Sanford 54-45 percent. Turnout was estimated to be 31 percent, very high for a special election and one of the many factors working in Sanford's favor. Colbert Busch spoke briefly to her supporters once the race was called, thanking them for their support and acknowledging that, given the staunch Republican majority in the district, the race was an uphill climb from the start. Sanford’s win caps one of the most remarkable comebacks in political history and returns him to the office he held from 1995-2001. Colbert Busch was not able to capitalize on …
The formerly disgraced Republican governor returns to Congress with a victory.
Mark Sanford, whose political career was left for dead with dozens of ethics violations and an extramarital affair made very public, will return to Congress. With 100 precinct of precincts reporting, Sanford collected 54 percent of the votes against Elizabeth Colbert Busch in South Carolina's First Congressional District special election. Turnout was very high for a special election at 31 percent, which helped the former governor in the highly conservative district. In the end, Sanford didn't win on forgiveness — which is good, because he didn't get it. See how Sanford was able to win the election here. On Wednesday, Sanford got more good news when he settled a Charleston County Family Court case against his ex-wife, Jenny Sanford. See …
Lowcountry voters head to the polls to select a new Congressman.
There were no shortage of opinions Tuesday as Lowcountry voters headed to the polls to select a new Congressman. The race for South Carolina's First District seat in the U.S. House pits Elizabeth Colbert Busch, a Democrat and political newcomer, against former Gov. Mark Sanford, the Republican who held the Congressional seat in the 1990s.
Former governor and congressman makes final push for votes.
Mark Sanford was a busy man on Monday. He criss-crossed the First Congressional District on the last full day of his race against Elizabeth Colbert Busch in a manner that was enthusiastic without being desperate. The former governor was happy to talk politics with anyone who crossed his path and was more accessible than usual—at one point driving a reporter around Charleston County—which is saying something. With his political life on the line on Tuesday, Sanford maintained a breezy confidence resulting from a belief he had done all he could do to win what is expected to be close race. At an end-of-day dinner with volunteers, Sanford thanked them for their support before saying, "It's up to the voters and the Lord." The supporters were …
Monday, May 6, 2013
Most of last full day spent in Charleston County.
The biggest criticism Mark Sanford has made of Elizabeth Colbert Busch, his Democratic rival for the First Congressional District seat, is that she will be little more than a rubber stamp for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Sanford hammered home the point repeatedly in last week’s debate after spending an hour or so the previous week “debating” a cardboard cutout of Pelosi. Sanford has linked Colbert Busch to Pelosi because a PAC supported by the former Speaker has donated large amounts of money to her campaign. But Colbert Busch has pushed back on the notion that she is little more than a Pelosi puppet. She strongly disputed the suggestion at the debate. And when she was asked about it by a reporter on Monday, she did so again. "No …
Federal officials to be present at locations in Charleston County.
The United States Department of Justice sent a press release on Monday afternoon to confirm that it will monitor the race between Mark Sanford, Elizabeth Colbert Busch and Eugene Platt for the First Congressional District Seat. Federal officials will be present in Charleston County to assure the election complies with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. An election in Mississippi will also be monitored. The department's full release: The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor elections on May 7, 2013, in the towns of Clarksdale, Como and Ruleville, Miss., and in Charleston County, S.C., to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Voting Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the election process on the basis …
All you need to know about the past, present and future of the race for South Carolina's First Congressional District.
9:15 a.m. Update: Former Gov. Mark Sanford didn't need forgiveness to win Tuesday's special election. Which is good, because he didn't get it. But that doesn't mean he didn't know how to win. See how the Comeback Kid made it happen. His opponent, Elizabeth Colbert Busch, meanwhile, was unable to take advantage of the loads of media hype and attention her campaign received. In fact, the political novice avoided engaging Sanford on many topics or in the media. See what she told supporters on Tuesday night. 8:30 p.m. Update: With 71 percent of the precincts reporting, CNN and the Associated Press have projected Mark Sanford as the winner in Tuesday's special election for the First Congressional District. 7 p.m. Update: The polls are now …
Election is Tuesday, May 7.
Democratic nominee Elizabeth Colbert Busch is asking for your vote Tuesday, May 7, so she may serve as Representative for South Carolina's First Congressional District. Many Patch readers have voiced their opinions on the race, but we haven't asked those planning to vote for Colbert Busch why or how she won their vote. Are you a Mark Sanford supporter? Click here to say why he should be the next Congressman. Speak out: If you're voting for Colbert Busch, tell us why she should be the next congresswoman for SC1 in the comments!
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Public Policy Polling shows the former governor with a one point lead.
CHARLESTON, SC -- The last poll before Tuesday’s election in the First Congressional District shows former Gov. Mark Sanford ahead of Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch by one percentage point. The results from Public Policy Polling (PPP) show that Sanford has recovered from the contempt of court charges that wobbled his campaign last month. He leads Colbert Busch by 47 to 46 percent. The Green Party’s Eugene Platt drew four percent of the support. The margin of error was is +/-2.8 percent, which means the race is effectively a dead heat. According to PPP, 1,239 likely voters were surveyed on May 4th and 5th. Aside from the head-to-head match-up the key figures were with respect to favorability. Exactly half of those surveyed had a favorable…
Jonathan Allen
12:12 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
If you're referring to former Gov. Jim Hodges, I think the fiasco of the Hurricane Floyd evacuation was a bigger reason he wasn't re-elected as opposed to any campaign ads (none of which I can remember). more ›