Floyd officially launches campaign

LANE FILLER, Staff Writer
Published March 17, 2006

Karen Floyd kicked off her official campaign for state superintendent of education surrounded by friends and family Thursday -- first at her campaign headquarters on East Main Street and later at the state Republican Party's Lexington headquarters, where she filed her paperwork.

Thursday marked the opening of filing for numerous federal, state, county and local races. The window of opportunity will close at noon March 30.

Around lunchtime, Floyd's headquarters sported all the traditional attributes. Hot dogs and trimmings sat on tables, waiting to be dished out by volunteers. Nearby was a jar for campaign contributions, which held a few bills and checks, and stacks of bumper stickers and campaign literature.

Floyd, her two sons at her side, spoke to the crowd about her priorities should she be elected. She wants to focus on getting kids with serious disciplinary problems out of traditional schools, making sure that money spent is well spent and getting serious about school choice.

As for the campaign jar, its relative emptiness could fool you. Floyd has raised at least $500,000 since she declared her intent to run on April 20 of last year.

And the money matters. Although four other Republican candidates have announced they will vie with Floyd for the seat Inez Tenenbaum is vacating, none filed officially Thursday.

"You have a lot of people who say they're running, but when the time comes to write the check, they may change their mind," state Republican Party Political Director Jay W. Ragley said, although he was not pointing to any particular candidates.

The cost of filing for primaries is higher than one might think: $3,680 for most statewide offices, $4,243 to run for governor and $1,861 to run for lieutenant governor.

Solicitors pay $4,852 to toss their hats in the ring, while candidates for U.S. House of Representatives will pony up $3,304 this year.

Officials with the Spartanburg County Democratic and Republican parties, who handle filings for county and local offices and the state House, reported no filings today.

On the state level, in addition to Floyd, Republican filings Thursday included:

Joe Wilson of West Columbia, seeking re-election in the 2nd Congressional District, Mike Campbell of Columbia, seeking the nomination for lieutenant governor against incumbent Andre Bauer, Jeff Willis of Easley for state treasurer, incumbent Richard Eckstrom of Columbia for comptroller general, incumbent Mark Hammond of Columbia for secretary of state and incumbent Stan Spears of Columbia for adjutant general.

Democratic filings on the state level Thursday were: Tommy Moore of Clearwater for governor and Robert Barber of Charleston for lieutenant governor.

Lane Filler can be reached at 562-7426, or lane.filler@shj.com.