ENDORSEMENT FOR SALE?
An outgoing Greenville County, S.C. councilman appears to be receiving money from the candidate he endorsed to replace him.
According to campaign finance documents filed with the S.C. State Election Commission last month, aspiring Greenville county councilwoman Stacy Kuper‘s campaign paid $2,000 on March 6 of this year to a company called SEE, LLC.
The purpose of this expense? “Campaign strategy.”
Of interest? The address listed on this disbursement was “7 Wildflower Court Greenville, SC 29615.” That’s the address of current Greenville County councilman Jim Burns – a real estate developer who is stepping down this year after twelve years on council.
The curious disbursement may be legal, but it has local politicos buzzing (including Burns’ colleagues on Greenville county council).
“He is using the power of the seat he occupies to fill his pockets for his endorsement,” one source told us.
It certainly seems as though that’s the case …
Look: We don’t begrudge Burns (err, “SEE LLC”) for wanting to make a few bucks. And when it comes to political strategy, he could very well be the next James Carville. But if a sitting elected official is taking money from a candidate who is running to replace him – a candidate this official has endorsed – well, that doesn’t strike us as very ethical.
Who knows … maybe Burns can advise Kuper on how to spin this one?
UPDATE: Burns responds.