Not all SC Democrats happy with who is giving party’s State of the State response

Not every S.C. Democrat is backing the person chosen to respond to Gov. Henry McMaster’s State of the State address, now rescheduled for next week.

Among those unhappy with the selection of state Rep. James Smith, D-Richland, is Charleston businessman Phil Noble, who — like Smith — is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.

Noble said Wednesday he was “astonished” to learn Smith, who will face Noble in the June 12 Democratic primary, has been selected by the S.C. House Democratic Caucus to respond to the Republican governor’s annual address.

Both Gov. Henry McMaster’s speech and Smith’s response, originally set for Wednesday but delayed by a snow storm, will be aired on S.C. ETV next Wednesday, starting at 7 p.m.

“By giving free air time to Rep. Smith, without offering the same opportunity to the other candidates, S.C. ETV appears to be making a legally questionable, in-kind contribution of taxpayer resources to his campaign,” Noble said in a statement.

ETV says it has nothing to do with Smith’s selection.

When South Carolina’s governor is a Republican, the Democratic caucuses of the House and Senate alternate in choosing who will give their party’s response to the State of the State.

Noble said he contacted an S.C. ETV attorney, who told him the state agency has no authority to challenge the decision by the Democratic caucuses.

“We are told” who will speak, said Glenn Rawls, S.C. ETV’s director of communications. “It’s a news event, so we cover it.”

The S.C. Democratic Party had no role in selecting Smith, either, party chairman Trav Robertson said.

“I would love to be in the process,” Robertson said. “But, unfortunately, we have no role whatsoever. We were not communicated with by anyone as it relates to that decision-making process.”

Smith – an Afghanistan War veteran and Columbia attorney – was selected to give the Democratic response by S.C. House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, D-Richland.

Smith also delivered the Democratic response in 2014 when Nikki Haley, R-Lexington, was governor. He was not available for comment Wednesday.

Rutherford cited Smith’s two decades in the House as a reason for his selection.

“James Smith is simply the best man for the job,” Rutherford said, adding he has had no contact with Noble’s campaign concerning the choice.

Rutherford said he is not reconsidering his decision. “Tune in to see what James Smith will say.”

This story was originally published January 17, 2018 at 3:15 PM with the headline "Not all SC Democrats happy with who is giving party’s State of the State response."