Posted on Sat, Jun. 17, 2006

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Willis opts to stay in GOP’s treasurer race

By JOHN O’CONNOR

johnoconnor@thestate.com

Easley home builder Jeff Willis is not withdrawing from a runoff in the GOP race for state treasurer.

But Willis said not to expect much campaigning against front-runner Thomas Ravenel before the 27th.

His campaign, he said, “is running on fumes.”

“I’m not sure I have enough gas to get the truck to Columbia,” Willis joked.

The commitment to run comes after two candidates dropped out of a runoff race.

Ravenel, a Charleston developer, garnered more than 48 percent of the vote Tuesday, narrowly missing an outright win.

A day after the vote, the second-place finisher, state Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, dropped out.

Ryberg’s withdrawal, coupled with comments criticizing Ravenel from Ryberg’s political consultant, Terry Sullivan, set off controversy within the state Republican Party. Chairman Katon Dawson urged Willis and third-place finisher Rick Quinn to withdraw.

Quinn, who at first entertained the idea of running, pulled out of the race Thursday.

Willis, who finished fourth with almost 7 percent of the vote, said he will continue because it’s the right thing to do.

“I don’t think it’s bad for the party, and I don’t think it’s bad for the state. I always defer to the voter.”

With other statewide runoffs scheduled for June 27, Willis said, staying in the race would not inconvenience voters or poll volunteers.

Dawson said he urged Willis to withdraw but accepts his decision.

“It’s a stretch at best,” Dawson said. “In my opinion, it looks like the race is over.”

Insisting on a runoff, Dawson said, will cost both candidates and the party money and resources, which could be spent on the fall general election.

Willis, though, doesn’t plan on spending much more.

Willis raised just more than $200,000 for his run, half of which was his own money, according to the pre-primary campaign finance report filed May 30.

Ravenel, who put nearly $500,000 into the primary run — nearly all his own money — said he plans to continue campaigning. He will push his message of restructuring, limiting government and making state businesses more competitive.

“That’s my message; that’s what got me here,” Ravenel said. “We’re in this to the end.”

It is unclear whether a statewide televised debate will air on ETV. Willis said he will participate, but Ravenel said he had not given much thought to a second debate.

The winner of the runoff will face Democratic incumbent Grady Patterson in November.

Reach O’Connor at (803) 771-8358.