The Democratic Party of Dorchester County has filed a lawsuit against Bailey asking that an injunction be granted barring him from running for re-election as a candidate for either political party.

A.J. Glover, head of the Dorchester County Democratic Party, said Bailey was "deceitful and dishonest" when he filed to run as a Republican just minutes before filing closed March 30. He had already filed papers that confirmed his intention to run as a Democrat.

Bailey had a friend enter his name in the Republican primary by using GOP paperwork he had filled out and signed the previous day. Bailey then met with Dorchester County Democratic leaders and informed them he intended to run as a Republican.

The move left Bailey as the only candidate in the June 8 primary for House District 97 who filed to represent either party.

That has Democrats crying foul and accusing him of a double-cross. They say his last-minute actions gave them no time to find another candidate before filing closed.

"He did what he did to keep us from finding another candidate to run against him," Glover said. "It's a way of disenfranchising voters."

Charleston attorney Truett Nettles, a Democrat and former member of the Charleston County Election Commission, is representing the Democratic Party of Dorchester County. Nettles said Bailey broke the candidacy pledge he was required to sign when he originally filed with the Democratic Party. The pledge requires candidates to abide by primary results and affiliate themselves with the party.

"We feel like we've been cheated out of having a candidate run in the primary," Nettles said. "In reality, we do not have a true, legitimate candidate to run for that seat."

The lawsuit also asks that the Democratic Party be allowed to nominate a substitute candidate in time for the June 8 primary.

Informed on Wednesday of the lawsuit, Bailey again said he did nothing wrong.

"I feel strongly that I did nothing illegal or improper," he said. "It's ironic that the Democrats accuse me of what they have accused me of and then try to force me out of the election."

Bailey said he wants to run as a Republican because he is conservative and pro-business. He also said more details will soon emerge about his decision to switch parties.

Bailey said he plans to meet with GOP officials and seek legal advice. He said he is confident he will remain on the ballot.

"Just let me run as a Republican and let the Democrats find their candidate, and we'll battle it out in November," he said.

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