Gowdy agrees to 4th District forum, even if Scott can’t come

The 4th District forum is back on at Furman University, rescued after an impasse between the candidates over including U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy’s congressional bestie, Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott.

Democratic challenger Chris Fedalei originally wanted a one-on-one event with the Spartanburg Republican. However, Gowdy, by all accounts, wanted Scott and his Democratic opponent, North Charleston pastor Thomas Dixon, on the stage too.

Danielle Vinson, the Furman University political scientist organizing the event, said she thought the candidates had reached a compromise: 40 minutes of one-on-one for each race and then a 20-minute, four-candidate discussion.

But Vinson, suffering from middleman frustration and a shrinking October calendar, “pulled the plug” earlier this month when – she and Fedalei’s campaign said – Gowdy’s office wanted to return to the four-candidate format for the entire event.

Gowdy’s interest in bringing fellow Republican Scott to the moderated discussion makes sense. They’re bros, after all.

They entered the U.S. House together in 2010, regularly eat dinner together and often appear together in public. When U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-Greenville, decided to retire in 2012, both Gowdy and Scott touted the other for the job.

S.C. Republican Gov. Nikki Haley ultimately tapped Scott for the seat.

“Senator Scott and Congressman Gowdy have a very close personal and professional relationship,” said Gowdy press secretary Amanda Gonzalez. “They thought the Furman students would benefit from seeing how their friendship impacts their work and benefits South Carolina.”

Hours after Fedalei’s campaign aired its version of the failed negotiations Wednesday, both candidates agreed to attend the event, regardless of whether Scott or Dixon can make it.

This story was originally published September 10, 2016 at 8:58 PM with the headline "Gowdy agrees to 4th District forum, even if Scott can’t come."