The SC Republican Party has been divided between following a full fledged conservative direction or maintaining the current moderate leaning left agenda. Challenges to that agenda appeared in a recent lawsuit and are coming to a head now. Photo courtesy MSNBC.
SC State Circuit Court judge Perry Gravely ruled on May 12th that the SC State Republican Party convention will be held on May 15th as scheduled. This despite a lawsuit asking the court to postpone the convention based on alleged violation of state law and the Republican Party rules.
The lawsuit was filed by attorney Lauren Martel who represented party members Pressley Stutts, Walter Horin, and Nicole Kazmarski from the upstate of SC against the State Republican Party, Greenville Republican Party, Rep. Party Chairman Drew McKissick, Chairman of the Greenville Rep. Party Jennifer Black and Executive Committeeman of the Greenville Rep. Party Randy Page.
Greenville County Republican Party member Plaintiff in the lawsuit Pressley Stutts. Photo courtesy Greenvilleonline.
The lawsuit is the result of the State Party voting to hold a “hybrid” convention last month that would preclude a gathering of all the party faithful over concern of the CCP virus. This became a point of contention for party members across the state as it was believed by many that it violates the Republican Party rules and State law as written.
The plaintiffs and defendants basically represent two factions of the Republican Party: Those who are considered the moderate element and those who are considered the MAGA element or more conservative faction.
The gist of the lawsuit was to follow the already established rules of the State Republican Party by holding the state convention in one location, at one time, under one roof. This in contrast to the scheduled “hybrid” convention where 46 counties will hold 46 separate conventions in order to achieve unity of party and direction.
The hearing was held remotely with no observers in the courtroom, but a zoom type connection was made available for those desiring to listen in. Some of those who did listen in to the hearing said the judge sound “irritated” and that he had perhaps “pre-judged the case”. Regardless, Judge Gravely took no advisement and quickly ruled that since plaintiffs could not show harm due to the hybrid convention, that the motion was denied. This is similar to how the Republican State convention will take place in some counties May 15th.
Despite the fact that the “pandemic is over” approximately 1500 people will not gather as one body at the state convention, but rather as 46 separate body’s across the state. This division of the party members will deny most the ability to clearly see, hear or speak to fellow Republicans and personally interact with each other, as well as “feel” the energy or lack thereof at an assembly of members from across the state.
And, that is the concern of those who filed the lawsuit. They anticipate that if party members are not allowed to meet together under one roof as the rules direct, that the synergy and spirit of unity will further fracture the state’s largest political party, possibly yielding ground to a challenger in the days to come.
And that is not the only divisive issue the Party will face. Aside from disagreement on meeting in one location, another struggle has surfaced within the party, and that is for the chairmanship and control of the direction the ‘Pubs will take. Four men are running for the office of Chairman: former businessman and US Senatorial candidate Michael LaPierre, current Chairman Drew McKissick, Mark Powell, and attorney Lin Wood.
Candidate for Republican State Party Chairman, attorney Lin Wood.
Additionally, there is yet a third issue that could further divide conventioneers, and that is a growing movement calling for an Article 5 Convention of States to amend the Constitution. These issues have created a deep and perhaps dangerous division within the party and members are feeling it in personal relations with other members.
Even more is the fact of potential fraud, miscounts, honest mistakes and ill feelings that could wreck even the best intentions of all concerned. The moral character of the people within the party will be the only thing that could win the day.
These divisions may cause the ‘Pubs trouble in the future. For now Democrats are looking on with a Cheshire cat smile. At a “Pints and Politics” political forum sponsored by the Charleston Post & Courier Wednesday evening in Cayce, SC, Democrat Party Chairman Trav Robertson said “Democrats in SC want Lin Wood to be chairman”. When asked why, he said that “Lin Wood energizes his base… and that would bring a better opportunity for the Democrat Party to win in SC.” In other words Robertson thinks those who support Wood will drive those Republicans who identify as left leaning and “moderate” to ‘jump ship’ and head for the Democrat Party ship.
This writer asked Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick for a brief interview to comment following the “Pints and Politics” forum where he had just participated. He replied that he was “not going to answer any further questions” saying he was on his way “to the governor’s mansion”.
The age old maxim of divide and conquer is at play here. Whether the Republican Party will rally behind a single leader with a definite conservative outlook or remain as a detached arm of the Democrat Party will be seen. The bigger question will be ‘can the party heal itself or will it fall victim on its own sword’ is yet to be seen. Regardless, the Republicans will be trying to sort out those differences and party loyalties in a State convention to be held all over the Palmetto State May 15th.
Michael Reed is Editor and Publisher of The Standard newspaper, print and online, and TheStandardSC YouTube channel where many video reports may be found. Please share freely and donate to The Standard on this page to assure the continued availability of news that is ignored too often by the dominant media.
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