Democrats Bailey, Bauer compete in SC House bid to take on Republican Kirkman Finlay
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The State’s candidate questionnaire for SC 2020 Primary Election Day
Several state and local primary elections are held in South Carolina on June 9, 2020. Read The State’s questionnaires below to hear straight from your candidates.
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A fitness gym owner and political newcomer is competing with a local public defender and Democratic Party activist for the chance to take on Republican incumbent in the race for state House District 75, representing some of Columbia’s affluent downtown neighborhoods.
Heather Bauer and Rhodes Bailey, both first-time candidates, are seeking the Democratic nomination in next month’s primary. The prize is running in the November general election against State Rep. Kirkman Finlay, R-Richland, a four-term incumbent who won reelection in 2018 with 57% of the vote.
Both candidates say they’re running to represent the 75th House District — which covers Columbia’s eastern neighborhoods, including Woodhill Estates and Pennington Acres, and parts of Shandon, Rosewood and Forest Acres — because they want to help improve infrastructure in the state and improve education in the state.
Who has the best Democratic Party credentials has become an issue in the race.
Bailey has touted his previous work with the Democratic Party, including volunteering on previous campaigns over the last 20 years, and working as the legal coordinator for the state party’s voter protection program.
“I’m dedicated to this. I’m dedicated to the Democratic Party. I have the shared values of the people involved,” Bailey recently told The State.
Bailey’s connections in Democratic and legal circles has shown in the campaign finance race.
The Richland County public defender has raised $75,000 through March, ending the reporting period with more than $35,000 on hand. He has the fundraising lead over Bauer, who owns Workhorse Fitness in Columbia and also works as an information technology project manager. Bauer has raised $24,000 through March, and had about $8,300 left to spend at the end of the reporting period.
More than half of Bailey’s financial support has come from attorneys, according to records filed with the South Carolina Ethics Commission.
“Where your career is is frequently where your donors are because those are the connections you make and those are the people you get to know,” Bailey said of the many contributions from lawyers.
Bauer’s contributions have been from information technology professionals, artists and business owners, among other professions.
In the age of the coronavirus pandemic, days when knocking on voters’ doors isn’t the best way to ensure social distancing, Bailey and Bauer have resorted to making phone calls to voters, sending more mailers and participating in several Zoom meetings and candidate forums.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people in the district, and what I’ve come to find out is I’m like most of them, so I relate to them,” Bauer said. “I know for me, I want somebody representing me who is like me. I think we need more of that. I think we need more diversity of voices of representation in office, and I have leadership skills to do the job, and I said, ‘Why not me?’ I’m also a person not to complain about something and not do something about it.”
Bauer added that when the pandemic began, her campaign began raising money for local nonprofits and local artists, and started helping senior citizens get their needed prescriptions.
“If I see someone who’s in need, I’m going to (help),” Bauer said. “People find that absolutely refreshing. I’m not just talk. I’m not waiting until I’m elected.”
Democratic activism an issue
Whoever wins the primary will face Republican Kirkman Finlay in November. Finlay, who does not have a primary challenger, will prove tough competition. The former Columbia city councilman and prominent businessman handily beat recent Democratic challengers, after winning by narrow margins against Democrat Joe McCulloch, an attorney, in 2012 and 2014 contests for the seat. Finlay also will have a sizeable bank balance for the November race. He has raised nearly $103,000, and had nearly $85,000 on hand to spend at the end of March.
Which Democratic candidate seeking the seat has been most loyal to the party has emerged as a question in the campaign.
For Bauer, questions have come up about how she hasn’t been a regular voter in Democratic primaries. Bauer has voted in six elections since 2012, according the Elections Commission. The only Democratic primary she voted in was the 2020 presidential primary in February. Bauer also did not vote in 2016. Bailey has voted in 13 elections since 2012, including five Democratic primaries.
Bauer was asked about her lack of a voting history during virtual town hall in April by a Bailey donor.
Bauer said not voting in 2016 when Hillary Clinton was on the ballot against Donald Trump was a mistake, and the 2016 results led her to get involved in politics.
“During the 2016 election period, I was going through one of the toughest times in my life. I was in the process of being laid off. I was transitioning to married life. That was a huge adjustment for me. I was trying to keep my head above water,” Bauer said. “I know not being able to weather the storm sometimes isn’t what people want to hear from people running for office, but that’s life. I’m not perfect, but I continue to try to make amends for that.”
Bailey said he has always been dedicated to the Democratic Party.
“I admire Heather’s energy, but I don’t know how you can ask Democrats for their nomination with a straight face when you didn’t show up for the first female nominee for president against Donald Trump,” Bailey said.
In response, Bauer did not take any swings at Bailey’s candidacy.
“My candidacy is not about criticism of any past, present or future candidates or campaigns,” Bauer said. “My candidacy is about my sharing with voters in House District 75 why I should be their choice in 2020 to be elected to best represent their interests and values.”
On the issues
They both agree that improving education in the state are among their top priorities.
Both Bauer and Bailey appeared at the SC For Ed’s State House Lobby day in January as they said teachers need to be paid more.
“Everyday you read the paper, and you see how they’ve screwed up their priorities. The Legislature had time to ram through a $115 million tax giveaway for the Carolina Panthers last year, but they couldn’t get teacher raises passed,” Bailey said. “Another reason is I want to leave South Carolina better than we inherited it.”
Bauer said teachers need to be treated like “the professionals the are” in a candidate questionnaire completed for The State newspaper.
“We need to compensate fairly, relieve teachers of administrative overhead, and create an engaging environment where children can thrive,” Bauer said.
The two candidates also said improving infrastructure in the state also is a need that needs to be addressed.
Bailey said dam safety is important citing the 2015 flood.
“We were ground zero for the flood of 2015 and the legislature has failed to act,” Bailey said.
Bauer said road improvements, including sidewalks, and expanding broadband should be top priorities.
“While most South Carolinians may be able to afford to take their car in to get serviced every time an axle cracks or tire blows, many South Carolinians cannot,” Bauer said in her questionnaire.
Picking up endorsements
The two candidates have each picked up endorsements leading up to the June 9 primary.
Bauer has been endorsed by Columbia City councilwoman Tamika Isaac Devine, Local Buzz owner Stephanie Bridgers, Richland County Councilwoman Allison Terracio, State Rep. Krystle Matthews, D-Berkeley, and Columbia City Councilman Howard Duvall, who represents one of the city’s at-large seats.
“I think she brings a fresh face to politics and the District 75 race,” Duvall said. “She’s very energetic, she’s got the fire that it takes to get out there and do the campaigning necessary to get the nomination and then she’ll be facing a very formidable foe in November.”
Duvall added that Finlay has defeated male lawyers in his previous races, and Bauer would be a change.
“I think she would appeal to the hardcore Democrats who are looking for a new way to get back District 75,” Duvall said.
Bailey has some well-known Democrats backing him. He has received financial support from Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, former State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum and former Democratic state Rep. Bakari Sellers. Bailey has received endorsements from former Richland County councilwoman Kit Smith, and former Democratic State Party chairwoman Carol Fowler.
“If I’m going to put my energy and effort behind somebody, I’m going to be assured they are a Democrat, and that they have some political experience because that will make it more likely they will win,” Fowler said. “It’s not so much of paying dues, it’s just making sure they and I are in agreement on things that matter to us.”
This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
