As leader of the South Carolina Senate, the six-term Charleston Republican, known for his keen legal mind, has the power to grease or kill legislation. He can cut off debate or keep senators in session all night. Running the Senate has been the goal of McConnell's adult life.

Former Charleston County GOP matriarch Nancy Hawk recalls a conversation she had with McConnell shortly after he first won office in 1980 as one of five Republicans elected to the Senate that year.

"He told me he wanted to be like Edgar Brown," she said, referring to the fiery Barnwell lawmaker who ruled the Senate roost for decades.

McConnell is equally well known as a wheeler-dealer outside the Statehouse.

Civil War buffs praise him for successfully managing the complicated recovery of the rebel submarine H.L. Hunley. His Confederate-oriented memorabilia store in North Charleston has been so successful that he gave up his law practice years ago.

At home in West Ashley, McConnell, 56, repeatedly has received high marks for constituent service and has had few worries about getting re-elected.

Now, for the first time as an incumbent, McConnell faces a Democratic opponent. Local lawyer Justin Kahn is looking to take over representation of Senate District 41 and its 76,000 people.

Kahn, a long-shot who never has held or run for office before, calls McConnell a career politician so preoccupied with internal Senate politics and the Hunley that he's lost touch with voters and neglected important issues.

"When I meet people, they do not know who their current state senator is," said Kahn, who has knocked on 2,500 doors since entering the race. "They know his name, but they have no sense he has anything to do with them."

Kahn says McConnell's closeness to the Hunley project raises ethical questions, since much of the Hunley work is orchestrated through McConnell's Columbia office.

McConnell shrugs off the criticism, saying it's election-year rhetoric. He contends the district never has suffered while his duties in Columbia mounted and that his constituent service is second to none. On Nov. 2, he'll find out if constituents agree with his assessment.

THE SUB TENDER

Since the Hunley was raised in 2000, McConnell's name has become synonymous with the famous Civil War sub and the $9 million effort to recover, restore and eventually put it on display at a museum in North Charleston.

Critics say the money would be better spent on pressing needs such as education. McConnell responds that the Hunley has brought the state far more money (from tourists) than was spent on it.

When the sub's crew was buried, McConnell gave the eulogy while wearing a Confederate officer's uniform.

Many of his fellow lawmakers accept McConnell's enchantment with the Civil War.

"I have the utmost respect for Senator McConnell and do not think his fascination with the whole Civil War thing clouds what he's done in the Senate," said Sen. Darrell Jackson, D-Columbia.

McConnell is a Republican, but Jackson said that on the Senate floor he's more of a libertarian.

"Some senators stay with the party line to the end, much to the detriment of the state," Jackson said. "That is not the case with Glenn McConnell."

In 1980, McConnell, then a 32-year-old lawyer in private practice, turned his philosophical support for Barry Goldwater into political action. He became chairman of the county Republican Party and won an open seat in the Senate, defeating Democrat Bill Saunders.

He entered the Senate with four other freshman Republicans and held office longer than any of them. When Republicans took control of the Senate in 2000, McConnell was named president pro tempore, the guy who runs the show.

Colleagues praise McConnell's sense of fair play and deep understanding of parliamentary procedure.

"He's not rash or hotheaded," said Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg. "He's methodical."

Back home in West Ashley, supporters say McConnell's constituent service is unprecedented.

"He's as good as (Strom) Thurmond," said former Charleston County voter registration officer Mickey Miller, who has known McConnell for 25 years.

THE UPSET MODEL

Until June, state Rep. Rick Quinn, R-Columbia, was a wheeler-dealer with his finger on every button in the Legislature. As House majority leader, Quinn was the top administrator for the GOP, lining up votes and setting the agenda.

Quinn's power didn't deter Nathan Ballentine.

While Quinn focused on legislative strategies, Ballentine, a political novice like Kahn, knocked on doors. He beat Quinn soundly in the primary.

Kahn wants to oust another seemingly invincible GOP leader.

At 29, Kahn is far from the clichÈ image of Southern politicians. While many office-seekers spin folksy stories to break the ice, Kahn prefers magic tricks.

Kahn began formulating his bid last year, saying that McConnell failed to keep a close eye on the needs of the district. Kahn argues that improving education should be the top priority for anyone in power.

"I have no sense that (McConnell) has any connection with our district," Kahn said.

Democrats say Kahn has a chance if he can paint McConnell as an out-of-touch policy wonk.

"He brings a fresh new perspective," said Charleston County Councilman Leon Stavrinakis, one of several leading local Democrats giving Kahn campaign advice.

If McConnell is so powerful, asks Kahn, how did he allow Charles Towne Landing State Park, just a few blocks from his house, to fall into such disrepair.

The park's mascot ship, a replica of the vessel that carried English settlers to America, sprang a leak and sank earlier this year. "Surely he could have done something about it if he had it as a priority," Kahn said.

McConnell blamed the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for neglecting the park. Corrective measures are planned, he said, but they will cost the state nearly $11 million.

MONEY AND ISSUES

Senate District 41 stretches from North Charleston to the ocean, covering much of West Ashley and Johns and James islands. It consists mostly of middle-class suburbs, except for the resort islands of Kiawah and Seabrook.

So far, Kahn has raised more than $70,000 for his campaign.

McConnell's most recent campaign disclosure form shows he has more than $300,000.

McConnell grabbed headlines last session with a six-week filibuster against a bill allowing police to stop motorists if they weren't wearing seatbelts. He said it would be an unreasonable government intrusion into people's private lives.

Kahn said there is already a law on the books requiring drivers to wear seatbelts, and the bill wasn't overly burdensome. "I think it was wrong to tie up the Legislature for six weeks," Kahn said.

While Kahn says the race is about the health of the district, McConnell points to several initiatives he wants to champion in January, primarily Gov. Mark Sanford's scheme to restructure state government.

McConnell also wants to change Senate rules that allow one senator to block legislation.

He said the main issue is who can move the state forward. "The choice is between a liberal Democrat and a conservative Republican," he said.

Kahn said he'll bring new ideas to the Legislature. "For the first time in 24 years, people in this district will have a choice for change," he said.

At his campaign kickoff this month, Kahn mentioned McConnell's interest in the Civil War, joking that he didn't seem interested in anything that occurred after 1864.

JUSTIN KAHN

AGE: 29

RESIDENCE: Ashley Harbor

FAMILY: wife, Mitzi; two children, Ben, 3; Rebecca, 4.

EDUCATION: Tulane University; University of South Carolina Law School, 1992.

PHONE NUMBER/E-MAIL ADDRESS: 377-0757; Kahnfor Senate.com

OCCUPATION: attorney

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: First try at elected office.

GLENN MCCONNELL

AGE: 56

RESIDENCE: Charles Towne Estates, West Ashley

FAMILY: single

EDUCATION: College of Charleston, 1969; University of South Carolina Law School, 1972

PHONE NUMBER/E-MAIL ADDRESS: 571-3921; reelectMc Connell.com

OCCUPATION: businessman, full-time legislator

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Senate District 41 incumbent since 1980; Senate President Pro Tempore and Judiciary Committee chairman since 2000.

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