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Bamberg Democrats hear from two gubernatorial campaigns

Sen. Tommy Moore of Clearwater made an appearance at the Bamberg County Democratic Party Convention Tuesday seeking support in his bid for governor. SPECIAL TO THE T&D

DENMARK — One gubernatorial candidate and the wife of another stumped for the votes of Bamberg County Democrats Tuesday evening during the party’s biennial convention at Denmark Technical College.

Marguerite Smith Willis, campaigning for her husband, Florence Mayor Frank Willis, a Democrat running for governor, said his experience as the Florence County Economic Development Authority chairperson prior to serving as Florence mayor for the last 10 years, will be an asset to the state. She said it was time to take action before South Carolina falls further and further behind.

“Frank’s record speaks for itself,” Mrs. Willis said. “When the community asked him to run for mayor, they asked him to run based on his record as a fiscal responsible businessman.”

Willis is a product of the public school system and a true supporter of public schools, his wife said, noting that he led a group in Florence that defeated the school voucher system.

“He has been reelected twice without opposition from Democrats or Republicans,” she said. Mrs. Willis said she believes voters will find her husband to be an individual who is “solid and steady.”

“He has been described as a workhorse and not a show horse,” she said.

Mrs. Willis outlined her husband’s strengths in executive ability, fiscal responsibility, job creation, public education and health care access, saying Gov. Mark Sanford has failed in each area. She noted that while it is important to replace a failing administration, it’s not good enough to just get rid of Sanford. It’s important that the state Democratic Party get behind a candidate who they feel can win the election, Mrs. Willis said.

Also seeking votes from fellow Democrats Tuesday was gubernatorial candidate Sen. Tommy Moore of Clearwater, who represented Bamberg County in the State Senate from 1980 until 1984. Moore has some fond memories of the county, and is looking forward to working with the community.

Referring to his gubernatorial campaign experience as “humbling,” the Aiken County senator said he would never have thought that someone from a small mill village in the Horse Creek Valley of Aiken would be on the ballot for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Moore said he believes his legislative and life experiences have prepared him to lead the state, and he noted that the people in Bamberg County are no different that him.

“They are looking for someone who understands their needs and concerns relating to the community. They want what is best for their families,” Moore said, “someone who has a vision and the courage to be a leader.”

He said it’s a shame that 850,000 South Carolinians don’t have health care, with 500,000 of them being children.

“There are a lot of hardworking people here who are looking for someone who is willing to work hard for them,” Moore said.

The state is in trouble and does not have time for gimmicks, he said.

“The voters of South Carolina think it’s time to stop bringing pigs into the State House and bring jobs,” Moore said.

Other Democrats running for re-election in the June primaries who attended the convention included Rep. Thomas Rhoad, House District 90, who is seeking re-election and his opponent, Bakari Sellers. Both asked for the Party’s support. Other candidates seeking re-election for Bamberg County seats attending the convention were Ann Clayton, treasurer; Margaret Meyer, auditor; William Nimmons, County Council District 6; Roger Moses, County Council District 2, and his opposition, Alzena Robinson, previously held that seat.

In other convention business, Bamberg attorney Chris Wilson was reelected chairman of Bamberg County Democratic Party. Also elected as Party officers were Frances S. Johnson, 1st vice chair; Lisa B. Stokes, 2nd vice chair, Bakari Sellers, 3rd vice chair; Linda Bell, secretary; Eva Manigault, treasurer, Camille Hodge, executive committeeman; Brenda Bonnette, executive committeewoman; James Bonnette, alternate executive committeeman and Demmie Raysor, alternate executive committeewoman.

Delegates elected to the South Carolina State Convention were Mabel Hodge, Joe Guess, Brenda Bonnette, Camille Hodge, Frances Johnson, Sarah Noel, Margaret Meyer, Pedie Hiers, James Bonette and Jerry Bell.

Alternate delegates elected were Goings Rountree, Emily Guess, Virginia Bell, Chris Wilson, Eva Manigault, Evelyn Jones, Bakari Sellers, Linda Bell, Evert Comer and Clair Guess.

The Bamberg County Democrats also voted on a two-part resolution which states that the South Carolina Democratic Party is committed to eliminating the impact of special-interest money on elections in the state and that the Party will actively support the passage of legislation providing for public financing of elections for all statewide races and all races for state senators and state representatives.

The State Convention will be held April 28-29.