Wealthy beachfront homeowner Rom Reddy enters GOP gov’s race. 5 things to know
Wealthy beachfront property owner Rom Reddy, who launched a statewide group called DOGE SC, has entered the governor’s race.
The Isles of Palms resident announced his bid Monday, the first day of filing. Five other Republican candidates in the state have launched bids for governor.
When he started DOGE SC, he did not appear like he was planning a run.
“We’re having more influence than people are in government right now,” Reddy said in an interview in November sayng he was able to get legislation pushed by advocating for certain reforms.
Reddy’s campaign conceded he is entering the race late. Filing runs through noon March 30 and the primary is June 9.
“I have always believed the role of government is to protect and defend our God given rights. Instead, government has taken this power and weaponized it against the citizen,” Reddy said.
Who is Rom Reddy?
Reddy is a graduate of Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania and spent his entire career in the private sector. Reddy has gained attention for a yearslong fight with the Department of Environmental Services on whether he can have a retaining wall along his property on the beach.
The environmental agency said the wall Reddy had built was illegal and fined him $289,000. Reddy defended himself in administrative law court, where a judge threw out the fine, but ordered the wall removed by the summer.
An administrative law judge recently ruled Reddy could keep his wall up, while the appeals process played out.
Before entering into politics, Reddy was in business. He worked Exxon Chemical and became one of the youngest division managers in company history. He also has built, acquired, restructured and sold multiple companies across manufacturing, artificial turf, industrial fibers and packaging, according to his campaign website.
Why does it make sense for Reddy to run?
No candidate in the Republican race has broken out and separated himself or herself from the field. A notable chunk of the electorate is still undecided.
The latest Quantas Insight Poll has about 26% of the electorate still undecided. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace and Attorney General Alan Wilson were tied in the lead with 22% of the support.
So if Reddy can gain traction and finish in the top two of the June 9 primary, and if no one earns a majority of the vote, he could end up in a runoff.
He’s been building a political operation, supporting candidates or those in office who support his agenda.
Is Reddy aligned with President Donald Trump?
Reddy’s campaign says he’s donated $1 million to the president’s campaigns.
Being aligned with President Donald Trump is key in the Republican primary as the president is popular in the Palmetto State. But Reddy says he’s not seeking any endorsements as the president’s endorsement has been highly sought after by other candidates in the race.
“Self-governance is making your case to the citizen directly and not clouding the issue with special interest money and endorsements,” Reddy said.
What advantages does Reddy have?
He has the personal financial resources, and he has built up an organization that has been holding events throughout the state.
Reddy has pushed for legislation on judicial reform and had lawmakers signing on as supporters.
He also is working with seasoned campaign consultant Wesley Donahue, who previously ran Push Digital.
Reddy can also portray himself as a political outsider, while the others in the Republican race have been previously elected.
“In one lane are all the other candidates with over 50 years in government who take money from PAC’s, corporations and special interest but claim they have your back. In the other lane is me, a successful private sector guy who has rejected special interest money and will be a voice for the voiceless,” Reddy said.
What challenges does Reddy have?
Reddy has never held elected office, and he’s going to need to increase his name recognition among those who have not been following his DOGE SC efforts or the governor’s race closely.
With his launch, Reddy announced an immediate seven-figure statewide two-week advertising buy.
