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Bailey, McIntosh set to square off in House 97 race

ST. GEORGE — After filing day confusion and the threat of a lawsuit, veteran House District 97 Rep. George Bailey is running as a Republican for the seat he's held for 18 of the past 20 years as a Democrat.

Challenging Bailey in the Nov. 2 general election is Lachlan McIntosh, a Democratic political aide, making his first run for office.

After Bailey filed with both parties, the Democratic Party filed suit to keep the lawmaker off the ballot altogether. In a settlement, Bailey was allowed to run as a Republican, while the Democrats were able to select a new candidate.

It's been a tough campaign ever since.

Bombarded with charges that he embellished his resume on his educational and U.S. Marine Corps background, Bailey has responded that he's corrected any inaccuracies. Other charges, he says, are all sour grapes on the part of the Democratic Party.

"I made a mistake on March 30 ... by filing in both parties. I tried to retrieve my (paperwork) and I consented to let the Democrats get a candidate," Bailey said. "I'm running against somebody no one knows where he came from or where he lives. I've lived in St. George for 32 years, and I've been in business for 30 years. I attend church here, Memorial Baptist, and I raised my five children here.

"I'm part of this community, and here comes somebody from Columbia who was hand-picked by the leadership of the Democratic Party. I'll leave it to the people."

That's an "odd comment," McIntosh responds.

"I was born and raised in Dorchester County. I moved away for school and work, but I live in Dorchester County and I plan to live here my whole life," he said. "It's an odd comment. Mr. Bailey and I have known each other for 15 years."

While attacking Bailey's resume mistakes in his political ads, McIntosh also hammers the incumbent's service and voting record.

"Mr. Bailey has been a Republican, a Democrat and now he's a Republican again. He's served in the majority, the minority and now he's back in the majority again," he said. "He hasn't accomplished much of substance at this point. I don't see why he'd start now."

Neither candidate had primary opposition.

District 97, which spreads from the upper end of Dorchester County to the edge of Summerville, includes the precincts of St. George 1 and 2, Rosinville, Grover, Reevesville, Indian Field, Harleyville, Four Hole, Rosses, Ridgeville, Givhans, Flowertown, Knightsville, Clemson and Carolina. Of the total 16,924 registered voters, 10,414 are white; 6,295 are black; and 215 are designated "other."

George Bailey

Banking on his campaign slogan that it's "People not Politics," Bailey is confident that the same base of supporters in his upper Dorchester County district will recognize his long years of service and his conservative voting record.

While he maintains that education is and should always be the number one priority, Bailey says the handling of the education funding is one of the reasons he switched parties.

"Amendment after amendment was put up to fund this or that, but there were no resources," he said.

"I'm very pleased with Ways and Means; they did the best they could. If you don't have the money ... and, surely I'm not going to vote to raise taxes ... you do the best with what you have."

Faced with the state budget crunch, Bailey says, Dorchester School District 4 alone found $650,000 they could delete.

"It's appalling all the money they wasted. Somebody needs to step up to the plate and say education is our number one concern and stay focused on getting the necessary money into the school district."

That's why, Bailey says, he supports the efforts of GOP Gov. Mark Sanford to put the state Department of Education under his control.

"Somebody needs to be accountable and get the money back to the local level without raising taxes," he said. "We need to get discipline in schools. (The House) did, but the Senate didn't pass the Teacher Protection Act this year."

Because he's a "very conservative person," Bailey says his voting record has never been one of party. As a Democrat, the lawmaker says, he supported GOP Gov. Mark Sanford on 14 of the 16 issues that came to the floor.

"I support him, and he has a good vision for South Carolina. He's on the right track. He wants to streamline government, and when you streamline government, you save money. That puts money back in needed agencies," Bailey said. "Another big issue next year is tort reform. My opponent doesn't favor tort reform. That's the reason insurance rates are so high. (McIntosh) is supported by the trial lawyers; they don't like me."

As for taxes, Bailey notes that eight years ago, he supported efforts for property tax rebates and an increase in Homestead Exception for seniors. Concern about tax issues is the number one question he hears as he goes door to door campaigning, he says, from people who have just received their tax notices. A two-penny sales tax increase, subject to voter approval, he says, could eliminate property taxes.

"I care about my county and the direction it's going in," Bailey said. "For the last three months, I've worked with our economic development director to keep Signature Homes in Dorchester County, and I'm working vigorously to try to get the inland port. Sen. (John) Matthews and Sen. Larry Grooms and I have over $1 million set aside in a special fund ... to be spent on economic development for the School District 4 end of Dorchester County. That money will be used to bring in industry or retain the industry we have."

According to Bailey, the fund comes from fees charged for the hazardous waste shipped in to the local cement plant. With the money, he says, plans call for the development of an industrial park, which, "I honestly believe by mid June of next year, it will be a reality."

A native of Charleston and a 31-year resident of St. George, Bailey graduated from the Lee Institute. He owns a real estate and construction company.

Bailey is a member of St. George Memorial Baptist Church, the St. George Lions Club, the Trident Chamber of Commerce and the Masons and Shriners. He is married and the father of five children.

Lachlan McIntosh

"Obviously, politics is something I'm very interested in," said McIntosh, of his unusual entry into the House race. In addition, the son of retired educators says that since education has always been a top priority, he was pleased to get the opportunity to seek the seat.

"I'm interested in education and health care. When I worked for Gov. Hodges, I really felt we were making a difference in education and health care. We put $1 billion tax-free money in school construction. We raised teacher pay a little, reduced class size and created First Steps," he said.

"I felt like we were on the right track in education. Since then, it seems things have changed dramatically in South Carolina. We're firing teachers and raising classrooms size and cutting education."

Those changes, McIntosh says, made him think about running for office himself.

While Bailey's 18-year voting record has all been as a Democrat, McIntosh says that doesn't matter.

"He hasn't supported education," McIntosh complained. "He voted to cut education by $250 million. Also, he voted to cut health care, and I'll never vote to cut education or health care."

Another difference between the two candidates, McIntosh says, is their response to economic development needs.

"There is a desperate need in rural Dorchester County to create better paying jobs for people," he said. "There have been a lot of promises, but very little action. I really think it takes a legislator who is willing to work hard every single day to create jobs and to bring in and recruit clean industry. Education, health care and jobs are my main interests."

As legislative liaison in the Hodges administration, McIntosh worked for legislation to improve education and to make prescription drugs more affordable to senior citizens.

With an endorsement from the S.C. Education Association, McIntosh notes that he and Bailey disagree over vouchers and charter school legislation.

A native of Summerville, McIntosh attended the College of Charleston and Columbia College. He operates a consulting and public relations agency. In addition to serving as an aide to Hodges, he was also an aide to Sen. Fritz Hollings. He is single.

-- T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached by e-mail at tlyon@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5545.