Bauer gearing up for late campaign push

By RODDIE A. BURRIS

rburris@thestate.com

Expect to see more of Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer in October — late October.

As omnipresent as Bauer might seem to his opponents in the waning days before an election, the acclaimed “relentless campaigner” has been low-key since his June runoff victory over challenger Michael Campbell.

With six weeks to go before the Nov. 7 elections, Bauer says he won’t turn the heat up on the campaign trail until a few weeks before the election.

“In addition to trying to restore myself to health, I’m trying to focus now on doing the best job possible for the people I serve,” Bauer said.

Bauer, 37, severely injured his leg and right foot in a May 23 crash of a small plane he piloted in the Upstate. After surgery and months on crutches, Bauer is undergoing regular physical therapy and his recovery is ahead of schedule.

Both the state Office on Aging, which Bauer oversees as lieutenant governor, and his election campaign handlers are pointing to a busier schedule of public events next month. It will mark the earnest beginning of Bauer’s fifth re-election bid.

Those who know Bauer, a Republican, say that still gives him plenty of time to put the election away.

“He’s an extraordinary politician, with tremendous people skills,” said outspoken Democratic activist Dick Harpootlian, a Columbia attorney and former party executive.

“He works an audience better than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

A real estate investor by day, Bauer faces fellow Charleston native Robert Barber, a Democrat, on the November ballot for the state’s second-highest elected office.

Political friends, such as Sen. Darrell Jackson, D-Richland, have been vocal and public in saying they will support Bauer over Barber this fall, in part because he helped break a racial mold when he came to the Senate.

“To me, Andre represented a wonderful, new era of politics in the state,” Jackson said. He was young, tolerant, nonpartisan, and didn’t have the old Southern baggage that many Southern Republicans and Southern Democrats had, Jackson said.

Jackson said Bauer “is genuine” and supported him in getting additional public funds allocated for S.C.’s historically black colleges. Jackson also made a fall prediction: I think he will get a larger share of African-American votes than any Republican in South Carolina ever has before.”

While recovering from his injuries, Bauer has campaigned some, including with crowds at the Chapin Labor Day Parade, considered by some a “must” for political hopefuls.

Bauer, however, has continued to show signs he may not be your average political hopeful.

It begins with his campaign signs: they simply read, “Andre,” (no last name needed apparently), and bear the symbol of the state tree, a Palmetto, standing beneath a crescent moon.

He is also weathering the biggest challenge to his political career.

His public life stretches back to 1996, when he was first elected to the S.C. House. That’s when he ousted well-regarded former Irmo mayor and state representative David Wright.

After a term in the state Senate, Bauer won a three-way primary and then beat Sen. Phil Leventis, D-Sumter, for lieutenant governor in 2002.

But Bauer finished behind Campbell in the June primary, by 8 percentage points, forcing a runoff.

The finish came less than a month after the crash and less than three months after reports of high-speed driving where he was pulled over but not ticketed.

In a stunning reversal, Bauer came back to defeat Campbell, the son of a recently deceased, popular S.C. governor, Carroll Campbell, to win his party’s nomination for the post he has held the past four years.

“I’m not perfect, but I try my very best to do a good job in my position,” Bauer said.

Since then, Bauer’s public schedule has focused on seniors. He spoke in August in Myrtle Beach at the Summer School of Gerontology, where he announced a $2.9 million state supplement to expand senior programs.

Two weeks ago Bauer got a standing ovation from the Silver-Haired Legislature after he showed up three hours later than expected to speak to the group, which crafts legislation aimed at seniors and then hopes the General Assembly will adopt it.

Bauer, who sets his own schedule and usually does not publicize it, apologized to the seniors and told them he had been busy with rehabilitation therapy, adding that he felt almost as healthy as before his plane crash.

More recently, Bauer hosted an election fundraiser at Willy’s in the Vista where patrons paid a minimum entrance fee of $250 a person to rub shoulders with him and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Fritz, a Tennessee Republican, who may make a run for the White House in 2008.

Bauer’s campaign funds were left low after his three-way primary and runoff with Campbell. He had just over $57,000 in on-hand contributions as of June 30. Barber, Bauer’s opponent, who had no primary opposition, last reported campaign coffers tipping the $500,000 mark.

“From a big-money standpoint, Andre will be the underdog in this race, because he’s running against a well-connected lobbyist,” said campaign manager Rod Shealy.

Still, the Bauer campaign will put up television ads this fall, as well as do direct mailings and door-to-door stops, Shealy said, on the wings of contributions from “regular people.”

“I love this state, and I enjoy serving the people, especially helping the average tax-paying, working people or retirees who may have nowhere else to turn,” Bauer said.

Bauer has said he is running on his record and constituent service. One of his main accomplishments, he said, was blocking $1.5 billion in taxes through parliamentary rulings as president of the Senate.

Bauer also says he helped reform the Senate so that it works more smoothly and effectively. He also talks about restructuring at Office on Aging, including more open bidding for contracts.

“As lieutenant governor, I’ve got the best job in the state,” Bauer said. “I hope the people will let me keep it.”

ANDRE BAUER BIO

The Republican incumbent lieutenant governor

Age: 37

Residence: Columbia

Family: Single

Occupation: Lieutenant governor, 2002 to present; businessman

Education: Bachelor’s degree, USC, 1991

Political experience: S.C. House, 1997-99; S.C. Senate, 1990-2002

KEY ISSUES FOR BAUER

A look at the incumbent Republican’s campaign

No tax increases. Bauer campaigns on his use of the post of presiding officer in the Senate to derail tax hikes.

Office on Aging. Says that in two years he has transformed the office in terms of delivery of services.

School choice. Backed Gov. Mark Sanford’s push for the “Put Parents in Charge” tuition tax credits initiative.

Differences with Barber

Scope of office. Bauer says the part-time position has enough responsibilities and he opposes new duties. Barber wants to expand the office to play a greater role in state economic development.

Tax posture. Bauer opposes new taxes. Barber supports an increase in the cigarette tax and has said he would not pre-emptively close the door on discussion of new taxes.

Role supporting governor. Bauer says he supports the governor and lieutenant governor running on the same ticket. Barber has not called for such a change but says he could work with either a Democratic or Republican governor.