Floyd eyes Tenenbaum challenge

A Spartanburg County political player is considering a run for state superintendent of education.

Karen Floyd, 42, said she's had "numerous" phone calls and visits from people encouraging her to run for the position.

"At this point, a decision hasn't been made," Floyd said Wednesday.

But multiple sources close to Floyd say the former Spartanburg County Council chairwoman plans to run for the position in 2006, and an announcement could come as soon as next week.

Floyd said no immediate plans have been made and called the comments "wonderfully flattering" but "inaccurate at this point."

Still, Floyd, a Republican, sounded like a candidate on Wednesday, saying she obviously has a passion for education, and her children attend public schools.

"I'm a believer in public education, and I'm a product of public education," she said.

Democrat Inez Tenenbaum, who was defeated in a U.S. Senate bid last year, currently holds the state office.

Katon Dawson, chairman of the S.C. Republican Party, said he has heard that Floyd plans to throw her hat in the race, though nothing official.

The party, he said, doesn't back candidates in primaries, but Floyd would make a good candidate.

"She'd make a very attractive candidate," Dawson said. "She's a competitor."

State Rep. Bob Walker, R-Landrum, the vice chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee, said the Floyd would be a worthy candidate.

"She's intelligent and she has the managerial skills that it would take to run the Department of Education," Walker said. "She has a lot to bring to the table. There might be some questions about her knowledge of education issues, but knowing Karen that won't be detrimental to her."

Walker said that he would support Floyd in "any endeavor she wanted to undertake," but that there are others who also might be interested in challenging Tenenbaum.

"I'm hearing from some people here in Columbia that I work with everyday that they might want to run," Walker said. "There will be a primary and if Karen is interested, I would encourage her to run."

Walker declined to say who else had expressed an interest in the job.

County Councilman Frank Nutt served with Floyd and said she built a consensus among the members.

"She's a great leader," Nutt said. "She'll do well at whatever she decides to do."

Nutt said he hadn't heard anything about Floyd's possible political aspirations.

Will Folks, a spokesman for Gov. Mark Sanford, called Floyd a "formidable candidate."

"She is clearly a sharp and accomplished businesswoman," Folks said. "She would be a great superintendent of education if she decided to run."

Zeke Stokes, a spokesman for Tenenbaum's campaign, said Tenenbaum isn't concerned about potential challengers at this point.

"We are more than a year and half from the election," Stokes said. "There will be plenty of time for politics. Right now Inez is focusing on public education and building on the strong progress we've made over the past six years."

Active in politics

Floyd is principal of the local public relations firm the Palladian Group, located in downtown Spartanburg.

She was born in Houston, Texas, but moved to South Carolina when she was 9 years old.

A graduate of Goucher College in Baltimore, Floyd has a law degree from the University of South Carolina.

She worked as an assistant solicitor and in private practice before being appointed magistrate in 1992. She became chief magistrate in 1993.

In 1994, Floyd campaigned and was elected to the position of administrative law judge. But two months before she was sworn in, Floyd resigned the position to accept a job with Flagstar Cos.

Later, Floyd became the first woman to chair the Spartanburg County Council. She served one term on the council.

Through the Palladian Group, Floyd has conducted public relations services for Mary Black Health System and Spartanburg School District 6.

Luke Connell can be reached at 562-7219, or luke.connell@shj.com.

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

Don't get the Herald-Journal delivered to your home? Click here for a special offer

Click for larger image

Floyd

More Headlines