Major SC donor hopes Trump inspires more business leaders to run for office

Bill Stern, one of the South Carolina's major GOP political donors, always asked himself the same question about politics — and he’s convinced that he finally found an answer.

"Being in business, I've always wondered why government can't run like a well-run business," the Columbia commercial real-estate developer told The State. "Politicians keep saying these are two different animals, and it cannot be done. I don't buy that.

“Donald Trump has tapped into something.”

Stern has helped lead state finance teams for two GOP presidential campaigns and co-chaired another Republican bid, all on behalf of politicians. But now he is going with Trump, the New York billionaire developer and political newcomer, to win the White House.

And the former chairman of the State Ports Authority is recruiting others as head of a Trump business coalition.

Stern, 59, said among them are Nephron Pharmaceuticals executives Bill and Lou Kennedy, who had hosted a tour for one of Trump's presidential rivals, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, at their plant near Cayce.

Trump's success, a win in New Hampshire and leading in Saturday's S.C. GOP primary, could encourage more business leaders to run for office, Stern said.

"I hope he inspires others," Stern said. "There are many successful business leaders who care about the state and care about the country."

Stern said he knows several S.C. business leaders, whom he declined to name, weighing political runs.

Stern's decision to back Trump came as surprise to many Republicans. He joins Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster, a former state party chairman, as S.C. major Republican establishment figures backing Trump, winner of the New Hampshire primary.

Wanting to learn more about the movement that draws thousands of people to Trump's rallies, Stern said arrived early for the candidate's events in Aiken and Rock Hill and walked through the crowd.

"I talked to people in T-shirts and people in coats and ties, and the message was consistent," he said. "People were tired of the same career politicians saying the same thing and not following through on their promises."

They see Trump as a businessman willing to fix what's wrong even while sacrificing money to run for office.

"They think he can make a difference like I do," Stern said.

Stern said he met Trump a decade ago through mutual friends, but about eight months ago, he heard from a pair of the Trump's S.C. campaign leaders, Ed McMullen and S.C. Rep. Jim Merrill, R-Berkeley, about supporting the one-time reality television star.

Stern, who has played roles in the presidential campaigns for George W. Bush and John McCain, was helping U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-Seneca, with his White House bid at the time.

"I made it clear I wasn't going to jump ship on Lindsey," he said.

Graham and Trump have fought. The senator questioned the businessman's temperament. The businessman called the senator an idiot and gave out his cell phone number at a televised rally.

Graham left the race in December and backed Bush. He continues to criticize Trump's rhetoric.

"I think it's politics at play, nothing more than that," Stern said. "If (Trump) wins the nomination, I want to get them together. I have Lindsey's new number and Donald's new number."

Stern said Trump's staunch stances, such as temporarily banning Muslims from entering the country, have a purpose.

"It makes business sense," he said. "You only have to make one mistake."

Trump's temperament in the White House will not be a problem, Stern said.

"Business people can relate. When they get frustrated, they get mad," he said. "I think that appeals to a lot of people. They like someone who tells it like it is and can be truthful to people."

But Stern said he wants Trump to have a fair chance to win the GOP nod.

Stern said he was unhappy with the crowd when he attended the GOP presidential debate on Saturday in Greenville when some audience members booed Trump for criticizing Bush. Trump said national party leaders are defaulting on their agreement to remain neutral in the race.

"If that wasn't a set up, I don't what was," Stern said. "It was orchestrated to try and to bring down Donald Trump in our state. I wish the Republican establishment would go ahead and accept what's happening and do what said they were going to do."

The Republican National Committee said the remaining campaigns received the same number of debate tickets and suggested organizers for some candidates invited more vocal guests.

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 2:16 PM with the headline "Major SC donor hopes Trump inspires more business leaders to run for office."