for new Democratic leadership in SC?
In the 2012 state election there were 24 districts out of 46 districts where R's ran unopposed, compared to only 9 districts where D's ran unopposed for state offices.
For the US house Joe Wilson ran unopposed. I don't care someone should have run against him. When You lie Wilson 1st ran in 01; he won 73% of the vote;
in 02, no candidate - 84%;
in 04 - 65%;
in 06- 63%
in 08 - 54%
in 10 - 53%
in 2012, no opposition.
His lead was being chipped away, so what happens? Let you lie Wilson run unopposed.
Now we have Demented's seat becoming open. All I hear is that his is a safe republican seat. Of course he won his last election by a landslide; his opponent was A. Greene, who had criminal charges pending for felony obscenity. If SC had a strong Democratic Party leadership the political makeup of the state might look different. This seat was held by a dem, from 1980 to 2004 until Hollings retired. It is possible to regain this seat, if the state and national party invest in the race, not just with money but get some heavy hitters to campaign for whoever runs.
The point I am trying to make is that I see unopposed seats as surrendering. Sure the Dem's might not be able to win these seats, but it does chip away at the gNOp's popularity if there is compitition. Paving the way for Dem growth in the state.
I realize gerrymandering of districts play a part, but how in the hell can the leadership expect change if they are not willing to even challenge the status quo at the state level? Why settle for the pie crust while the filling is being devoured by repigs.