Brannon says Fleming will get seat on PSC

COLUMBIA -- The state Legislature will decide today who gets the 4th District's seat on the Public Service Commission, but one candidate says the outcome has already been settled.

Dave Brannon says former Spartanburg City Councilwoman Lib Fleming is the pick, and has been since the seat came open more than two years ago.

Ronnie Blanchard, owner of Blanchard Sand and Gravel in Spartanburg, and Dan Hamiltion, son of state Rep. Glenn Hamilton of Greenville, also are candidates for the $78,000-a-year job.

Brannon, owner of Energy Equipment Co. in Spartanburg, said it was made clear to him that Fleming was the pick shortly after he cleared the screening process two years ago. The vote was held up while the House and Senate worked on a compromise to overhaul the process.

"I had the highest test score of anyone in the 4th District," Brannon said. "But when I went to see the people I know in the Legislature, I kept hearing how they wished they had known earlier that I was a candidate.

"It was pretty obvious what was going on. The 'good old boy' system is alive and well, and they let you know in no uncertain terms that you aren't welcome."

Brannon said he became so disillusioned with the process that he stopped campaigning. He said he has not, however, officially withdrawn from the race.

Fleming said she didn't think she was the "chosen" candidate. She said she has been trying to win support nearly every day the Legislature has been in session for more than two years.

"I took the exam, I went through the screening and I've worked very hard to get to know the senators and representatives and to let them get to know me so they would be confident in my ability to do the job," Fleming said.

"I ran for City Council to help make the community a better place and I'm running for Public Service Commission to help make places across the state better."

Sen. John Hawkins, R-Spartanburg, said it would be difficult to fix the election with 170 people voting.

"I don't agree with (Brannon) at all," Hawkins said. "Lib has been such a great candidate. She's been here the most, worked the hardest and impressed so many people."

Rep. Scott Talley, R-Spartanburg, also said everything is on the up and up.

"I wish it was already decided," Talley said. "Lib is well qualified and she has made a good name for herself. But Greenville still has Hamilton in the running."

Blanchard also has made the trip to Columbia three days a week since becoming a candidate. He declined to comment on Brannon's assertion.

Blanchard said his experience running a business and as an Army drill sergeant proves he has the leadership skills necessary to do the job.

"I felt like I would make a good Public Service Commissioner because I'm a fair person," Blanchard said. "I have no vested interest whatsoever."

The first candidate to receive 50 percent plus one vote of the ballots cast will win the seat.

Sen. Glenn Reese, D-Boiling Springs, has supported Blanchard's candidacy. He said he's heard that Fleming has strong support, but stopped short of saying that she was handpicked for the job.

Reese said he is confident that one of the Spartanburg candidates will take the seat.

"Normally these types of things go to Greenville," he said. "But this time it's going to go to Spartanburg. Either way, Spartanburg is the winner."

Robert W. Dalton can be reached at 562-7274 or bob.dalton@shj.com.

More Headlines