Bright says lawyers have too much sway in Legislature

COLUMBIA -- Lee Bright says it's easy to see state Sen. John Hawkins' stance on tort reform by looking at his campaign disclosure form for the fourth quarter of 2003.

Hawkins raised $24,300 for the quarter, with more than $15,000 coming from attorneys across the state.

"I think that shows why he's opposed to tort reform," said Bright, who is challenging Hawkins for the District 12 seat. The two will face off in the Republican primary on June 8.

"I think trial lawyers have ridden a gravy train around this state for long enough," Bright said. "I'm going to do what I can to keep them from buying an election in Spartanburg County."

Hawkins said there was nothing surprising about lawyers contributing to another lawyer's campaign.

"If I was a doctor or a farmer getting a lot of money from attorneys, then that might be unusual," Hawkins said. "But as an attorney, I work with a lot of attorneys around the state, and I appreciate them having the confidence in me as a colleague."

Hawkins said looking at the year-end disclosure doesn't accurately reflect who has contributed to his campaign. He said the disclosure that is due at

the end of this month would show that he has received support from many people in his district.

Hawkins said he was looking at the tort reform proposals and that he would "vote my conscience" if they came up for a vote.

Bright, the owner of On Time Trucking, said he favors tort reform because he's faced frivolous lawsuits in the past.

"Lawsuits are one of the main components that drive up the cost of insurance," Bright said. "Tort reform is going to be one of the keys to economic development. We're losing jobs and capital investment to other states because of our tort system.

Bright raised $12,195 in the fourth quarter of 2003. The majority came from inside Spartanburg County.

Hawkins said a lot of Bright's contributions during the period came from physicians.

"I wouldn't suggest that the fact that he's received money from doctors is the reason he's for tort reform," Hawkins said. "These kinds of political games are intended to distract people away from the real issues."

Robert W. Dalton can be reached at 562-7274 or bob.dalton@shj.com.

By ROBERT W. DALTON

Staff Writer

COLUMBIA -- The state Legislature will decide today who gets the 4th District's seat on the Public Service Commission, but one candidate says the outcome has already been settled.

Dave Brannon says former Spartanburg City Councilwoman Lib Fleming is the pick, and has been since the seat came open more than two years ago.

Ronnie Blanchard, owner of Blanchard Sand and Gravel in Spartanburg, and Dan Hamiltion, son of state Rep. Glenn Hamilton of Greenville, also are candidates for the $78,000-a-year job.

Brannon, owner of Energy Equipment Co. in Spartanburg, said it was made clear to him that Fleming was the pick shortly after he cleared the screening process two years ago. The vote was held up while the House and Senate worked on a compromise to overhaul the process.

"I had the highest test score of anyone in the 4th District," Brannon said. "But when I went to see the people I know in the Legislature, I kept hearing how they wished they had known earlier that I was a candidate.

"It was pretty obvious what was going on. The 'good old boy' system is alive and well, and they let you know in no uncertain terms that you aren't welcome."

Brannon said he became so disillusioned with the process that he stopped campaigning. He said he has not, however, officially withdrawn from the race.

Fleming said she didn't think she was the "chosen" candidate. She said she has been trying to win support nearly every day the Legislature has been in session for more than two years.

"I took the exam, I went through the screening and I've worked very hard to get to know the senators and representatives and to let them get to know me so they would be confident in my ability to do the job," Fleming said.

"I ran for City Council to help make the community a better place and I'm running for Public Service Commission to help make places across the state better."

Sen. John Hawkins, R-Spartanburg, said it would be difficult to fix the election with 170 people voting.

"I don't agree with (Brannon) at all," Hawkins said. "Lib has been such a great candidate. She's been here the most, worked the hardest and impressed so many people."

Rep. Scott Talley, R-Spartanburg, also said everything is on the up and up.

"I wish it was already decided," Talley said. "Lib is well qualified and she has made a good name for herself. But Greenville still has Hamilton in the running."

Blanchard also has made the trip to Columbia three days a week since becoming a candidate. He declined to comment on Brannon's assertion.

Blanchard said his experience running a business and as an Army drill sergeant proves he has the leadership skills necessary to do the job.

"I felt like I would make a good Public Service Commissioner because I'm a fair person," Blanchard said. "I have no vested interest whatsoever."

The first candidate to receive 50 percent plus one vote of the ballots cast will win the seat.

Sen. Glenn Reese, D-Boiling Springs, has supported Blanchard's candidacy. He said he's heard that Fleming has strong support, but stopped short of saying that she was handpicked for the job.

Reese said he is confident that one of the Spartanburg candidates will take the seat.

"Normally these types of things go to Greenville," he said. "But this time it's going to go to Spartanburg. Either way, Spartanburg is the winner."

Robert W. Dalton can be reached at 562-7274 or bob.dalton@shj.com.

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