11th Circuit solicitor finalists wind up with small campaign debts

The three candidates for chief prosecutor in Lexington County and nearby areas relied on bank loans of varying amounts to help finance their campaigns, their latest disclosure records show.

Two of the three Republicans, including winner Rick Hubbard, still have small debts to pay off, according to their reports to the State Ethics Commission. The loans are of note because the race to elect the 11th Circuit’s first new solicitor in 40 years has been one of the area’s most expensive in memory.

Hubbard took out a $25,000 loan, while challenger Candice Lively borrowed $12,000 as their runoff showdown began in mid-June, the reports said.

The loans helped make sure enough money was on hand to arrange broadcast ads, mailings and other promotional efforts during the intense two-week contest, both campaigns said.

Both said the debt was manageable, not onerous.

Hubbard owes about $20,000 after all bills and more donations arrived, he said. “I anticipate raising more to get this paid off,” he said.

That should be no problem, said Larry Wedekind, who was eliminated after finishing third in the June 14 primary ballot.

“People smile, usually, on a winner,” he said.

Wedekind used personal savings accumulated while on military duty overseas to pay a previously reported $100,000 loan taken out in May, his report shows.

“I never expected to get all of it back, but some of it was possible,” he said of paying off the loan partially with donations if he had made it to the runoff.

Lively likewise will seek donations and chip in personally as needed to pay off her loan, campaign consultant Steve Fooshe said. But obtaining contributions “will be harder” since she didn’t win, he said.

Hubbard is set to become 11th Circuit solicitor in January in Lexington, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda counties. No Democrat will be on the ballot in the Nov. 8 election.

Overall, Hubbard’s campaign took in nearly $168,000 through June 30, his report said. That compares to nearly $147,000 for Wedekind and slightly more than $62,000 for Lively. All amounts include loans.

Meanwhile, Hubbard has begun working as a temporary adviser to state Attorney General Alan Wilson on criminal matters through Dec. 31. That’s similar to what Hubbard did before quitting in March to run for solicitor.

Doing that is a better choice than going into private practice in Lexington and representing offenders until being sworn in in January, he said.

“It leaves me out of possibly being in any conflict” of interest, he said. “And it would look bad.”