CANDIDATE DOING “DEEP DIVE” ON STATE SPENDING
Former S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) director Catherine Templeton is taking steps to position herself as a candidate for governor of South Carolina in 2018, multiple sources familiar with her recent moves tell us.
According to our sources, Templeton has been doing a “deep dive” on the state’s record-breaking $28 billion budget – which went into effect last week.
Specifically, Templeton is said to be making phone calls to multiple state leaders asking them pointed questions about the Palmetto State’s current financial situation.
“She’s digging,” one official told us, saying Templeton recently reached out in search of financial data on state spending and borrowing.
“I sent her a pile of spreadsheets,” the official said.
What is Templeton looking for, exactly? It’s not immediately clear – although she does have a history of digging deep into budgets in pursuit of taxpayer savings.
She’s also demonstrated adeptness as a political messenger …
In addition to policy research, Templeton – a Lowcountry attorney who turned down an appointment to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) last spring – is working to assemble a team to manage her 2018 candidacy.
Templeton’s gubernatorial aspirations are obviously no secret. In fact they’ve been discussed in political circles for more than a year – and have recently attracted mainstream media attention.
Assuming she follows through on her intention to run (which at this point seems highly likely), Templeton would be part of a very crowded “Republican” field.
S.C. Rep. Tommy Pope and former Democratic lieutenant governor Yancey McGill have already declared themselves as candidates for the GOP nomination – and U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney and lieutenant governor Henry McMaster are both considered locks to run.
S.C. Senator Tom Davis, U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, S.C. Rep.Kirkman Finlay, Upstate solicitor Walt Wilkins and Columbia, S.C. businessman and political donor Bill Stern are also mulling bids.
S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson could also still run – although he will be lucky to keep his current job in the aftermath of his recent political implosion.
Finally, there are persistent rumors that U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford might seek the office he held from 2003-11. Sanford still has $1 million remaining in his 2006 gubernatorial reelection account – although he is viewed as exceedingly vulnerable at the moment.
Our view? Since she took the SCDHEC job in 2012 Templeton has impressed us. She’s brilliant, well-connected, has earned a reputation as a “fixer” and is a natural at politics.
The only question is whether she can consistently train her considerable skill set toward the proper ideological orientation …
The 2018 gubernatorial election is likely to be marked by persistent voter unrest and revulsion against career politicians. Of all the candidates (and would-be candidates) mentioned in this article, none are better positioned to capitalize on these conditions than Templeton.
Let’s hope she’s able to do that …
Of course if she doesn’t, it seems clear at this point someone will.