Condon Makes Senate Bid Official

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Former South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon officially declared himself a candidate for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.

Condon told a crowd at the Citadel that he will seek the seat currently held by Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings.

The Republican, who lives on Sullivan's Island, also offered an address on law enforcement and national security policies.

"As a United States Senator from South Carolina, I would make it my foremost mission to ensure that freedom is safeguarded at home, and nurtured abroad," Condon said.

Condon said that the nation must make a fundamental shift in domestic law enforcement and in national security policy toward preemption.

"In a world of terrorism, outlaw regimes, and devastating weapons, no longer can America have a posture of responding to military actions against our interests once they have occurred," Condon said.

Condon said he would work to ensure that law enforcement, intelligence and immigration databases are better integrated, to tighten policies on visitor visas and to push for development of drugs to treat people injured in biological attacks.

Before an unsuccessful bid for South Governor last year, Condon spent two terms as Attorney General more than a decade as the solicitor in the state's 9th Circuit. When he was elected in 1980, he was the youngest prosecutor ever elected in the state.

At least three others are seeking the GOP nomination, Rep. Jim DeMint of Greenville, Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride and Lowcountry real estate developer Thomas Ravenel.

Democrats seeking Hollings' seat include Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, state Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum and Camden native Marcus Belk.

Previous Stories:

• August 13, 2003: Tenenbaum Will Seek Hollings' Senate Seat
• August 5, 2003: Hollings To Step Down After 7 Terms In Senate