ICYMI – SC GOP Gov Candidates: Statehouse Corruption Scandal “Could Hand the Governor’s Mansion to a Democrat”

“This may be a set-up to elect South Carolina’s next governor as a Democrat”

In case you missed it, South Carolina Republicans running for governor are worried that Gov. Henry McMaster’s close ties to the ongoing statehouse corruption scandal could tank his reelection campaign and hand the race to a Democrat. At last night’s debate, two of McMaster’s opponents took advantage of the governor’s absence to raise questions about potential legal trouble that could befall him as the investigation continues.
Read the excerpts from The Post and Courier’s report below or the entire article HERE.
The Post and Courier:  S.C. Republican candidates worried McMaster could hand governor’s seat to Democrats
By Andy Shain
Two of Gov. Henry McMaster’s Republican challengers suggested during a debate Wednesday he could face legal problems in the Statehouse corruption probe that could hand the governor’s mansion to a Democrat for the first time in 20 years.
Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant and Mount Pleasant attorney Catherine Templeton said McMaster has potential issues because his longtime political consultant Richard Quinn was caught up in the investigation. McMaster is no longer working with Quinn, whose firm pleaded guilty to failing to register as a lobbyist, and the governor has not been a reported subject in the years-long investigation.
…”This may be a set-up to elect South Carolina’s next governor as a Democrat,” Bryant said during the debate at the College of Charleston that McMaster did not attend.
…Templeton followed up by saying she wanted to ask McMaster if he could be indicted, like six other current and former Republican lawmakers, after winning the June 12 primary.
“I don’t know why he’s not here tonight; it’s inexcusable,” Templeton said near the empty podium left to mark McMaster’s absence.