2016 national security group names S.C. board
Americans for Peace, Prosperity and Security — a policy group pushing for debate on national security and foreign relations issues in the 2016 presidential election — named a South Carolina advisory board on Wednesday that includes a Medal of Honor recipient and former member of Congress.
Americans for Peace, Prosperity and Security was founded by Mike Rogers, former Michigan congressman who decided last year to not seek re-election to pursue a career as a radio and TV host. He was chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Rogers’ group has established advisory panels in other 2016 early-primary states, Iowa and New Hampshire, and held forums with candidates, including former Texas Gov. Rick Perry in Des Moines on Wednesday.
Americans for Peace, Prosperity and Security expects to hold its first S.C. forum next month.
The organization cannot endorse a candidate, Rogers said. But board members can back a candidate if they want, he said.
The tax-exempt group has held private fundraisers to pay for its costs and will hold events in South Carolina, Rogers said.
Jonathan Hoffman, former White House director of border security policy under George W. Bush, will be the group’s state executive director in South Carolina. He ran for Congress in 2013 in the race won by former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford.
The organization’s S.C. board includes:
▪ Meka Childs, former deputy superintendent the S.C. Department of Education
▪ S.C. Rep. Shannon Erickson, R-Beaufort
▪ Ted Fienning, founder of Babiators
<bullet> James Galyean, former chief counsel to Sen.Lindsey Graham
▪ Van Hipp, former deputy assistant secretary to the Army
▪ James Livingston, retired Marine general and Medal of Honor recipient
▪ Leighton Lord, chairman of Santee Cooper
▪ Glenn McCall, national committeeman to the Republican National Committee
▪ Sue Myrick, former North Carolina congresswoman living on Seabrook Island
▪ Brent Nelsen, chairman of South Carolina ETV
▪ Mick Zais, retired Army general and former S.C Superintendent of Education
This story was originally published May 20, 2015 at 10:01 AM.