Candidate fearful of SCRG influence in House race

A candidate running for a House seat in Richland and Kershaw counties has asked his opponent to sever her ties with a third-party group that advocates using tax credits to pay for private schools.

In a letter to his opponent, Sheri Few, David Herndon said he has concerns about the campaign tactics of South Carolinians for Responsible Government. In the past, Herndon wrote, the group has attacked candidates with which it has disagreed.

In 2006 the group sent out numerous mail pieces critical of Rep. Bill Cotty, the retiring Republican who now represents the district.

The group's tactics, Herndon wrote, are at odds with a pledge he and Few have made to run positive campaigns.

"South Carolinians for Responsible Government appears to have a history of waging very negative, personal and misleading campaigns against Republicans," Herndon wrote. "By denouncing this group, I believe you would be doing a great service to our community and demonstrating that you are as committed to a clean, open and honest campaign as I am."

Comments

[JimT]

I think it's important to clarify one statement. Mr. Herndon says SCRG wages misleading campaigns "against Republicans." One could easily assume from this that SCRG is a Democratic organization. It's not. As far as I can tell, they don't have a kind word to say about anybody, Republican or Democrat.

[SteveW]

SCRG is not a Democratic organization; it isn't even a South Carolina organization. I am pretty sure Howie Rich, Inc. is a New York organization.

[Frances]

When a group such as SCRG goes against an honorable individual as Bill Cotty is and a dedicated public servant as Bill Cotty is and a true representative of his district as Bill Cotty is, then I for one would be embarrassed to be a member of that group. One member told us, "I had to have a job and nobody else would hire me." That statement says it all - lack of honor, dedication and loyalty.

[Marty]

I see that Mr. Herndon has requested for Mrs. Few to committ to run a campaign as clean, open and Honest as he has. I notice he did not say he was running a clean, open and honest campaign. Sounds a lot like Mr. Obama's tactics to talk about ethical standards and perform something quite the opposite.Of course he can blame it on his staff, I wonder what David's excuse will be? Mrs Few would be foolish to agree to anything Mr. Herndon or his infamous consultant will dig up.

[LOU from SC]

SCRG from what I have seen around the state are the main group pushing for changes in the SC failing public school system. What percent graduation does Kershaw and Richland Counties have? Bring the real issues to the for front.
How is the public school drop out rate from young adults entering 8th grade to 12th grade.
These are REAL issues the House and Senate must take up. Not bury there heads in the sand like Cotty has.

Herndon, I think should denounce his denouncement. Talk about real issues
that will help us in the global economy.

Lou N

[LOU from SC]

SCRG from what I have seen around the state are the main group pushing for changes in the SC failing public school system. What percent graduation does Kershaw and Richland Counties have? Bring the real issues to the for front.
How is the public school drop out rate from young adults entering 8th grade to 12th grade.
These are REAL issues the House and Senate must take up. Not bury there heads in the sand like Cotty has.

Herndon, I think should denounce his denouncement. Talk about real issues
that will help us in the global economy.

Lou N

[Georgetown Dem]

You guys obviously are in the dark on this and don't have a clue on what SCRG really is:

http://www.howierichexposed.com/

http://stophowardrichsc.blogspot.com/

http://scbarbecue.blogspot.com/2008/05/thursday-thrash-award-south-carolinians.html

[Martin]

Lou, that might be true but the point is they run negative attack campaigns. They need to be nicer.