With Bannon in Town, SC GOP Candidates Kiss the Ring

McMaster, Templeton, and Bryant Fawn Over Bannon

We are officially one year out from the 2018 gubernatorial election in South Carolina and here’s where we stand:

Democrats nationwide had widespread electoral success last week, potentially foreshadowing real momentum heading into next year. Republican candidates around the country were dragged down by far-right divisive campaign tactics. But that doesn’t seem to be worrying Gov. Henry McMaster, Catherine Templeton or Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant.

Trump strategist and Breitbart publisher Steve Bannon came to town this weekend, and all three major Republican candidates for Governor were falling over themselves to capture his affection.

According to Brian Hicks of The Post and Courier:

So three of South Carolina’s Republican candidates for governor descended on Charleston Friday night to kiss Steve Bannon’s … ring.

They fussed and fawned over the poster boy for white nationalists and alt-righters like a bunch of teenyboppers at a Justin Bieber concert.

…They believe the easiest path to victory in the GOP primary is the low road, and Bannon drives the pace car. After all, he got Trump elected.

It’s been clear for a while that they all plan on taking the “low road” in this primary. We have already seen them claim to be “proud of the Confederacy,” and defend membership at an all-white country club. And with such a tight and contentious primary, it looks like we’re nowhere close to hitting rock bottom yet. 

“South Carolina’s next governor should be focused on creating jobs and growing the economy, but  McMaster, Templeton, and Bryant are too busy courting the alt-right,” said DGA Deputy Press Secretary Alex Japko. “Their love for Bannon shows this primary is going to be fought on far-right fringe issues. The “business friendly” version of the Republican Party is long gone.”