The South Carolina Democratic Party Chairmanship Election comes at a critical time for those in the Palmetto State who continue to carry the Democratic brand. Although the state party has been inept at fielding competitive races for statewide races, outside of the Sheheen Gubernatorial Race of 2010, history has proven that a shift is possible under the right plan, right issues, and most importantly the right leadership.
The power and impact of endorsements vary from race to race, candidate to candidate as it relates to elected officials, but we believe they may carry a heavier impact in a race to lead one of the major political parties. So, we paid close attention to the endorsements secured by the top two candidates for the state party chair. The list of one of these two really stood out to us, and we believe symbolize exactly where the party should be headed to change their fortunes. This list includes the last Democratic Governor elected in SC, Jim Hodges; the most followed Democratic leader in the state, House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford; the SC Legislative Black Caucus Chair, John King; the ranking Democratic member on the House Ways and Means Committee, Gilda Cobb-Hunter; the ranking member on the House Education Committee, Jerry Govan, the ranking member on the Labor, Licenses, and Insurance, David Mack, the Deputy Minority Caucus Leader, Chandra Dillard; the leader of Midland Democrats, John Scott, and a rising star in the Senate, Margie Bright-Matthews. In addition to these elected leaders party activist , advocates, and organizations including South Carolina Equality, Planned Parenthood Votes! – South Atlantic, South Carolina AFL-CIO, Dorchester County Democratic Party, Union County Democratic Party, Aiken County Democratic Party,Berkeley County Democratic Party, Labor/Progressive Caucus, SCDP, Cherokee Indian Tribe of South Carolina, and Our Revolution have endorsed one of the candidates in the race. See the Full List Here
The person that has accumulated this impressive list, a list that proves that this chair would hit the ground running Day 1, Susan Smith of Pawley’s Island. We believe Susan possesses the relationships, energy, passion, and core values needed to lead a re-birth of the South Carolina Democratic Party. Susan’s tenacity, never backdown attitude, and overall fearlessness is exactly what is needed for the South Carolina Democratic Party at this moment in history.
It is our belief that Susan’s extensive grassroots activism and leadership experience with the S.C. Democratic Women’s Council and National Federation of Democratic Women will aid in helping to move the S.C. Democratic Party forward and expand the outreach of Dems statewide.
We believe all the candidates running are worthy and would do a fine job leading the SC Democrats, but only one symbolizes the vision to be a truly transformational leader. It is because of this fact that the Palmetto Insider proudly endorses Susan Smith to lead the South Carolina Democratic Party.
We strongly encourage all delegates attending the 2017 Democratic Party Convention to join us in selecting Susan party chair. We believe her time is now! Susan will help Democrats win again in South Carolina!