SC politics: Businessman says he will challenge Sen. Bright
An Upstate businessman says he will run in the GOP primary next year in an attempt to unseat state Sen. Lee Bright, R-Spartanburg, one of the Senate’s most outspoken members, known for blocking legislation and criticizing his own party.
Filing does not start until March. But David McCraw of Greer announced his plans Monday to run for the District 12 state Senate seat, representing parts of Greenville and Spartanburg counties.
McCraw, 48, said he wants to run because he is frustrated with politicians’ “failure to do simple things to make it easier for those of us out here working hard and creating jobs.”
Saying Bright does “an awful lot of talking, but very little doing,” McCraw said the General Assembly accomplished very little during this legislative session.
“Partisan bickering and an attitude of self-promotion and political grandstanding instead of cooperation means that we still do not have a plan to improve our roads; it means that you will not see any decrease in your tax bills this year; and it means another year will go by without any real ethics reform,” he said. “We deserve better from our elected officials.”
Brigh, 45, t did not immediately return a request for comment Monday.
A staunch opponent of abortion and gun control laws, Bright, who lists transportation as his profession, is known for breaking with his party and filibustering legislation that he does not support. Bright also was one of three senators to vote against removing the Confederate flag from the State House grounds.
McCraw owns a marketing and financial planning businesses as well as a restaurant and roofing company.
He contributed $500 to kick-start his campaign, according to state campaign finance records.
Bright has been raising money for a potential re-election bid and has about $33,000 on hand, according to his most recent campaign report.
Governor’s schedule, activities
Gov. Nikki Haley’s publicly announced schedule for this week, released Monday by her staff, is:
Monday – Tuesday: Participate in the Republican Governors Association’s executive roundtable quarterly meeting, Aspen, Colo.
Tuesday, 6 p.m.: Speak at the Aspen Institute’s “Conversation with Republican Governors,” Aspen, Colo.
According to her staff, the governor’s schedule last week included:
4: Phone calls to other state officials, Winthrop University President Daniel Mahony, Department of Public Safety Diector Leroy Smith, SLED Chief Mark Keel and Adjutant General Bob Livingston
3 each: Constituent meetings; also, meetings concerning state agencies
2 each: Media interviews; also, legislative meetings; also calls to unidentified “fellow” governors
1 each: Call to a federal official, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell; also, an education meeting; also, a policy meeting; also, a ceremonial duty, a photo opportunity with the 2014 Little Miss and Teen Miss South Carolina courts
Busiest day: Friday, with eight activities
Slowest day: Thursday, with one activity
Of note: Haley’s schedule included no activities Wednesday. It also included three activities – phone calls – Saturday and Sunday.