Chairman: GOP a lock in elections

Runoff winners look to sweep November

By Aaron Gould Sheinin

McClatchy Newspapers

S.C. Republican Party chairman Katon Dawson on Wednesday predicted the GOP would sweep all nine statewide contests in November, much to the glee of the candidates standing behind him.

A day after the statewide ballot was finalized in runoff elections, Dawson and seven of the party's nine standard-bearers gathered at the Marriott hotel in downtown Columbia. Incumbent Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who won a narrow runoff victory on Tuesday, and incumbent Secretary of State Mark Hammond, were absent.

Each candidate spoke, including Attorney General Henry McMaster, the only one not facing a Democratic Party opponent.

One after another, the six men and one woman thanked the other candidates and voters and said they look forward to the fall campaign. Those who spoke included Gov. Mark Sanford, McMaster, treasurer's candidate Thomas Ravenel, incumbent Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom, incumbent Adjutant General Stan Spears, incumbent Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers and education superintendent candidate Karen Floyd.

After the news conference, Sanford - who refused to debate his primary opponent - said he would "absolutely" debate his general election opponent, Sen. Tommy Moore, D-Aiken.

Ravenel, who faces incumbent Democrat Grady Patterson in November, said if he is elected in November, he will stay in the job "until I complete the job."

Ravenel would not directly say that he would serve all four years and not seek another office, such as the U.S. Senate. Ravenel has been dogged by speculation that he will challenge U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in the 2008 Republican primary.

Ravenel has refused to specifically rule that out.

The chairman of the S.C. Democratic Party said Dawson's enthusiasm is "misguided."

"We've got a great ticket, and we can't wait to compete against his," Joe Erwin said.

Erwin said the Democrats will hold a similar event to present the party's candidates. It will likely be next week.