SC

Nikki Haley’s New Heir Apparent?

CRONY CAPITALIST LEADER EYES 2018 GUBERNATORIAL BID The last time S.C. governor Nikki Haley attempted to hand-pick her successor, things didn’t turn out so well.  The second-term executive – who is limited to eight years in office by the state constitution –  was shut down by the neo-Confederate consulting empire…

CRONY CAPITALIST LEADER EYES 2018 GUBERNATORIAL BID

The last time S.C. governor Nikki Haley attempted to hand-pick her successor, things didn’t turn out so well.  The second-term executive – who is limited to eight years in office by the state constitution –  was shut down by the neo-Confederate consulting empire of Richard Quinn and Associates, which nominated a well-known former statewide official to challenge Haley’s choice for lieutenant governor.

The result?  A resounding victory for Henry McMaster (the ethically challengedwhites only” candidate put up by Quinn) and a stinging defeat for Pat McKinney – Haley’s candidate of choice.

McKinney got spanked – and neither he nor Haley were particularly pleased with the way things went down.

Curiously, McKinney is Haley’s new chairman of the S.C. State Ports Authority (SCSPA) – a woefully mismanaged agency which doles out huge consulting payments to Quinn’s political machine.

So apparently everybody kissed and made up …

Anyway, multiple sources inside Haley’s orbit tell us her “plan B” for a gubernatorial successor is Orangeburg, S.C. businessman Mikee Johnson (above).

Wait … who?

Unknown to the general public – Johnson is a legend within the crony capitalist world of government-run “economic development.”  You know … the taxpayer-subsidized approach to creating jobs that produces taxpayer investments like this (and debt like this).

Johnson is the CEO and president of Cox Industries, a company which produces pressure-treated wood products for use in the construction industry.  He’s also currently serving as the chairman of the ultimate corporate crony organization – the S.C. Chamber of Commerce.

How close are he and Haley?  Extremely …

The governor appointed Johnson to lead the state’s Workforce Investment Board, and Johnson is also the vice chairman of her charitable organization – the Original Six Foundation.  Additionally, he was a key member of her 2014 campaign fundraising team.

Sources close to Johnson tell us he is committed to seeking the governor’s office in 2018.  In fact, they say he’s willing to self-fund his effort to the tune of $5 million.  Throw in the endorsement of a popular incumbent governor – which his backers say is a “done deal” in the event he runs – and that’s a candidacy others interested in this post can’t afford to ignore.

And who else is eyeing the governor’s mansion in 2018?  In alphabetical order, the names most frequently mentioned to us include S.C. Senator Tom Davis, U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, S.C. Rep. Kirkman Finlay, U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney, S.C. Rep. Tommy Pope, U.S. Senator Tim Scott, Charleston, S.C. attorney Catherine Templeton and S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson.

Obviously anyone who is serious about campaigning for this office had better start getting organized … quickly.  Filing for partisan primary races will open in two years.

***

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81 comments

William January 3, 2016 at 10:20 am

There is another self-funding, but already popular, potential candidate who is quietly evaluating this office. He seems to like the sneak attack.

These candidates like Cox, with little popular base and even less popular appeal, love to spend money to lose raises.

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The Buzzman January 3, 2016 at 11:14 am

/// These candidates like Cox ///

So I’ve heard …

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Tazmaniac January 3, 2016 at 2:06 pm

Why wood a candidate named Johnson have William thinking of Cox? LOLZ

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The Buzzman January 3, 2016 at 3:13 pm

+10

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CorruptionInColumbia January 3, 2016 at 5:00 pm

I see what you did, there!

:-D

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SparkleCityBubba January 3, 2016 at 10:22 am

I heard Cox was the original inspiration and model for the Hot Yeast Bun at the Western Sizzler.

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9" January 3, 2016 at 10:25 am

He looks just like her husband

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shifty henry January 3, 2016 at 10:48 am

How in the HELL will we keep those two apart? The only legitimate one is “Mikie” Haley — now we have to hear/read about “Mikee” Johnson. There’s a joke in here somewhere….. Tweedledum and Tweedledee ..??

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idcydum January 3, 2016 at 10:56 am

Shifty I think this guy is cute.Only two things come from my beloved Iowa-steers and queers.He is uglier than a steer and looks a little queer?

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shifty henry January 3, 2016 at 11:01 am

Between” Mikie” and” Mikee” the one thing I can see is that neither is “hair apparent” ……

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Superfly January 4, 2016 at 10:36 am

Nor to ever be confused with Slim Jim.

9" January 3, 2016 at 11:59 am

Haley’s love of bald-headed men is telling;she must have serious ‘daddy issues’.

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shifty henry January 3, 2016 at 12:26 pm

Somebody remind me again how long “Mikie” was gone? Was it during that time that Nikki “accidentally” locked herself out of the mansion?

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9" January 3, 2016 at 1:42 pm

that was it.he’s back? some men enjoy humiliation:cuckolds

Quietus January 3, 2016 at 11:18 am

Yep. When I saw the picture I thought I was about to read a article on Michael Haley’s entrance in to politics.

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dwb619 January 3, 2016 at 8:50 pm

wonder iffin he still go this balls?

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9" January 4, 2016 at 9:38 am

yeah-‘castrating woman’ also comes to mind…

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jimlewisowb January 3, 2016 at 11:02 am

It is true that South Carolina is one fucked up State – with that said there are limits

Do not believe that the voters will put into the Governor’s Mansion an individual who looks like he just crawled out of Yoda’s ass

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shifty henry January 3, 2016 at 11:12 am

What is the difference between the Prince of Wales, a bald-headed man, an orphan, and a gorilla?

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The Buzzman January 3, 2016 at 11:13 am

“If They Mated”:

Rosanne Barr and Danny deVito

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shifty henry January 3, 2016 at 11:15 am

My goodness, the insensitivity and cruelty we are showing this morn!

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The Buzzman January 3, 2016 at 11:18 am

I’ll be here all week.

Thankyouverymuch.

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flip January 3, 2016 at 11:21 am

Damn.Is that threat?

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Quietus January 3, 2016 at 11:14 am

Can we at least get the 2016 Olympics out of the way before we start the 2018 Governor’s race? I like politics and all (why else would anyone be on this site), but damn these election cycles are too long and start too quickly. The last 4 years has been one very long presidential election cycle. I can’t take the governor election cycle going 4 years as well. STOP THE INSANITY.

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shifty henry January 3, 2016 at 11:20 am

You are not alone, Brother — that’s why I have taken a leave of absence from politics until immediately after the two conventions in July. My personality, attitude, cursing, and hard drinking are much the better for it. Even my family’s dogs and the neighborhood dogs love me……

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flip January 3, 2016 at 11:24 am

But Haley’s path to victory might have just become more complicated.

That’s because a little-known attorney and former judge named Tom Ervin has joined the race for governor as an independent — and his campaign is threatening to raise at least $6 million in the process.

“We’re going to spend whatever it takes,” Ervin told CNN. “I am going to tell the truth to the people of South Carolina.”

_____________________

STOP THE INSANITY-ELECT SWERVIN TOM ERVIN! :)

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Anti-Confederate Flag January 4, 2016 at 10:08 am

You supported Haley you little traitor of a hack.

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CorruptionInColumbia January 3, 2016 at 6:14 pm

As much as I agree with you, in some ways I can deal with this much better than endless sports stories or endless Southern Charm stories.
It is sad the number of hits those get compared to stories that impact the real world that we live in, regardless of how much many people would like to bury their heads in those too-numerous fluff pueces.

Meanwhile, there is very little being said about the takeover of a BLM building by militia in Oregon, which might be our next Lexington or Concord.

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tomstickler January 3, 2016 at 8:25 pm

If Ammon Bundy spoke French, he might worry a little about being in Malheur Refuge.

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CorruptionInColumbia January 3, 2016 at 9:00 pm

Good point. Of course, it may also translate to a bad time for his opposition, too.

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CorruptionInColumbia January 3, 2016 at 9:21 pm

I know, I loosely translated “hour” to “time”. Hopefully they have access to a good stereo and can enjoy a good time listening to Pat Benatar sing.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R_0i_Rz6VP4

tomstickler January 4, 2016 at 10:11 am

Proper translation: malheur = misfortune

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Ghost Of Elections Yet To Come January 4, 2016 at 10:07 am

I think we need to start talking about the 2020 elections because safe to say whoever wins in 2016 is going to suck.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis January 3, 2016 at 11:40 am

Is that 2 bongs or beer bottles on the shelf?

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The Buzzman January 3, 2016 at 11:59 am

I see a figurine of a little boy holding his heart.

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euwe max January 3, 2016 at 12:07 pm

…wearing a blue taffeta dress.

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shifty henry January 3, 2016 at 12:22 pm

It might be interesting to know the titles of the books he keeps on his shelf….

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CNSYD January 3, 2016 at 11:58 am

You guys missed the real reason for Folks’ post. He just wanted to pimp carpetbagger Davis, little Mulvaney and drunk Templeton.

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dwb619 January 3, 2016 at 8:53 pm

I would not mind someone pimping Catherine “THE SOT” to me!

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that's entertainment January 3, 2016 at 12:29 pm

Wait. Wasn’t that guy in Princess Bride?

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Tazmaniac January 3, 2016 at 1:37 pm

Inconceivable!

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Mike at the Beach January 3, 2016 at 6:45 pm

You keep using that word…I don’t think it means what you think it means.

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Don January 3, 2016 at 12:58 pm

It is Shrek!

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shifty henry January 3, 2016 at 1:06 pm

In Ft. Payne, Alabama — at a certain business — is a female cashier — who truly is a female Shrek (PS: she is NOT related to me or Cousin Judge)

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dwb619 January 3, 2016 at 8:54 pm

She any kin to the Owen clan of music fame?
They be from Ft. Payne.

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shifty henry January 3, 2016 at 10:25 pm

I don’t know that ,,,,,

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Shrek is love. Shrek is life. January 4, 2016 at 10:08 am

Don’t insult Shrek like that.

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Tazmaniac January 3, 2016 at 3:30 pm

Paint this guy green and he could be CiC’s living avatar.

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CorruptionInColumbia January 3, 2016 at 6:21 pm

MUCOUS POWER!!!!!

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Just Me January 5, 2016 at 7:53 am

When I first saw his picture I thought it was Richard Breibart the Lexington lawyer who is doing time for stealing money. :)

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CorruptionInColumbia January 3, 2016 at 4:57 pm

I wonder if Mikee’s dad was a former small-town police chief and larger town patrolman back in the 1970’s. He bears a very strong resemblance to “JJ” Johnson, who was a good and honorable man. Sadly, JJ died some decades ago.

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LouieBouy January 3, 2016 at 5:09 pm

Good bidness man, but Gov? Ha! And a Haley guy? But I barely know Mike. Mike once asked me what the heck was going on in Lexington County, back when the fan hit the crap with the old sheriff and ’em. Never thought he was really interested in running for any office; and never knew he was friends with Haley.

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Burningspeare January 3, 2016 at 6:15 pm

Present NASA Administrator and native Columbian, retired General Charles F. Bolden will return home and easily win election as South Carolina’s next Governor. He graduated first in his class at the Naval Academy and flew dozens of missions in Vietnam piloting F4s. A personable and all-around human being. I once witnessed him played every instrument in our marching band.

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Mudlim January 3, 2016 at 7:28 pm

He would be great allright. He could tell us about how SC wouldn’t be here if not for the Muslims. He could turn SC into a sounding board of praise for Islam just like he did with NASA.

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Burningspeare January 3, 2016 at 7:47 pm

Did you fly over 100 missions in Vietnam? I’d bet you could not fight your way out of a paper bag. And it is apparent that just the word, Islam, causes you to piss in your pampers.

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Mudlim January 3, 2016 at 11:04 pm

No I didn’t drop over 100 loads of napalm on unsuspecting women and children and then go back to get paid and congratulated for it.

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Burningspeare January 3, 2016 at 7:43 pm

STS-31, Gen. Bolden piloted the space shuttle mission that deployed the Hubble Space Telescope into Earth’s orbit. This was one of humanity’s greatest achievement allowing us to peered into the beginning of time, The Big Bang.

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sparklecity January 3, 2016 at 10:52 pm

with all due respects to his service = too fucking old
This state needs new blood; not the same old front porch lemonade or gin & tonic sipping white dudes 60+ years old
But then again, Mark Sanfraud was not an old-assed dude and look where that got the Great State of South Carolina

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Bible Thumper January 4, 2016 at 1:31 am

“white dude”? He’s black. The problem is that hasn’t lived in SC since the mid 60’s. They may wave the residency requirements for servicemen. I’m not sure, but he still doesn’t know the state anymore.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis January 4, 2016 at 8:31 am

Nikki’s same as Sanford.

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Rocky Verdunce January 4, 2016 at 9:09 am

Sanford kicks your liberal asses and why you don’t like him.

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tomstickler January 4, 2016 at 10:02 am

Hey, erbody, Flip has risen like a Phoenix from the ashes of his many dead Disqus profiles.

jimlewisowb January 3, 2016 at 6:24 pm

Passing thought while watching Denver and San Diego

Condoms don’t guarantee safe sex anymore. A friend of mine was wearing one when he was shot dead by the woman’s husband.

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RogueElephant January 3, 2016 at 6:44 pm

I would support Mikee in a heartbeat. Good man, great family. All rock solid, straight arrow, salt of the earth business people. I have known them and worked with them in various ways for thirty plus years. As to the list of others, Kirkman can mature for 8 yrs. won’t hurt him. Mulvaney and Duncan are both doing good jobs in the house and should stay. Senator Scott is doing fantastic in the senate and, even though he doesn’t like it there , should stay forever. I thought Templeton had some big job. And the youngest and best AG in the USA should stay for at least two more terms. While our next president is making America great again SC needs to be positioned to ride the crest of the wave.

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Mom January 4, 2016 at 10:35 am

Glad to hear to know and like him Rogue. Tell him to cut back on the sodium. He looks a bit bloated.

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Manray9 January 3, 2016 at 10:49 pm

This guy looks like Joe Besser who joined the Three Stooges after Curly died.

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mamatiger92 January 4, 2016 at 8:46 am

I was thinking Dr. Evil.

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Bible Thumper January 4, 2016 at 1:42 am

I don’t think I’ll be heading out to Oregon. I’ll just safely continue to anonymously post comments from an undisclosed secret location somewhere in the upstate.

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jeff January 4, 2016 at 6:53 am

There are several potential candidates not mentioned that are may to run and do well. In politics, the early bird rarely gets the worm. A couple come to mind that have popular support and one of those can and will write a big check.

2016 is going to be an interesting election year.

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Philip Branton January 4, 2016 at 8:45 am

Hmm……….”…Johnson is the CEO and president of Cox Industries, a company which produces pressure-treated wood products for use in the construction industry….”

In other words…..Mr. Johnson is better known as “King Arsenic”….!

We wonder just how many children will be used in a campaign ad playing on a treated lumber play set or deck while having their fingers in their mouths..?

I can just imagine a huge list of chemicals scrolling across the screen that make up the soup of pressure treated cocktails…!

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Rocky Verdunce January 4, 2016 at 9:11 am

You appear angry because this man is a successful businessman. Jealous much?

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Rocky Verdad January 4, 2016 at 9:24 am

Hey, Tango Flip Pogo, nice avatar. Thing’s lookin’ good!!!

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Philip Branton January 4, 2016 at 10:32 am

Hey Rocky “v”……….no anger, just adding a thought to how this man can be marginalized by a viable competing candidate for this position. The history of pressure treating chemicals and creosote are hard to dispute. Mr. Johnson will have to answer for his historical knowledge and actions…or lack there of. Heck, we wonder just how informed the workers are at Cox industries and what measures are taken to ensure work place toxic safety..? Since he is Chairman of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, we feel very confident that he understands how much of our “Commerce” uses landfills across our state to pimp Methane. He sure did not offer any live video for Fitsnews to validate his efforts on behalf of Century Aluminum and Santee Cooper…..why not..?

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Rocky Verdad January 4, 2016 at 9:13 am

Back from time off, and I start seeing “This Comment Deleted” again!!! Geesh!!! Tango, just stick to one identity and keep it. The new venture looks good – by the way.

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otis January 4, 2016 at 11:15 am

That guy in the picture looks like a heart attack waiting to happen. Is everybody in SC fat?

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ted January 4, 2016 at 11:16 am

He also looks just like Michael.

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ELCID January 4, 2016 at 12:07 pm

Scott is just holding the Senator job open for Haley. He will run for Governor and Haley will succeed him as Senator.

GOD HELP US, BECAUSE THE ELECTORATE IS SO STUPID NOBODY ELSE WILL.

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otis January 4, 2016 at 3:53 pm

Would somebody buy that man a turban?

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Lone Ranger January 4, 2016 at 4:35 pm

Ummmm…Kemosabe…really?…Will STILL doesn’t know that the SC legislature is toast?
Right, Tonto, but he’ll find out don’tcha know when the flag-rippers get UNelected most !!!

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David January 5, 2016 at 11:10 am

Johnson is the current chair of the workforce board AND chamber of commerce. Conflict?

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