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Article published Jan 15, 2004
Former Gov. Beasley announces Senate run
AMY GEIER EDGAR
Associated Press
COLUMBIA -- Former
Republican Gov. David Beasley, who fought to remove the Confederate flag from
South Carolina's Capitol dome, announced Wednesday that he is running for the
U.S. Senate.Beasley faces an already crowded GOP field in the race to replace
retiring Democratic Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings.Other Republicans seeking the
nomination include former state Attorney General Charlie Condon, U.S. Rep. Jim
DeMint, Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride and Charleston real estate developer
Thomas Ravenel. The top Democrat in the race is state Education Superintendent
Inez Tenenbaum.Beasley said he had been weighing the decision carefully and
considering how it will affect his family. He said he missed public service and
thinks there needs to be a Republican majority in the Senate to support
President Bush."If this election falls to a Democrat, Republicans could lose the
majority next year. And the consequences of that loss would truly be
catastrophic for America," he said.College of Charleston political scientist
Bill Moore said Beasley is stepping into the race as the candidate to beat,
although a runoff after the June GOP primary is likely.Beasley served one term
as governor before losing to Democrat Jim Hodges in a 1998 election known for
heavy spending from the video-gambling industry that Beasley said he would
outlaw.Beasley, 46, also was battered by his stand to remove the Confederate
flag that flew atop the Statehouse dome."Looking back, I should have done a
better job communicating our positive message. But in my heart, I know we did
the right thing," Beasley said. "There are lessons in politics you only learn
from adversity."Since his re-election loss, Beasley has taught at Harvard
University, done missionary work and received a Profile in Courage Award from
the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum for his work to move the Confederate
flag.The Confederate flag was not permanently removed from the Statehouse dome
until July 2000, six months after the NAACP launched a boycott of the state. The
flag is now flying at a monument to Confederate dead on the Capitol grounds.