READY FOR ANOTHER SPECIAL ELECTION?
The appointment of U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy to the federal bench – exclusively addressed by this website last November – is a “lock,” sources close to the administration of Donald Trump tell us.
In fact, Gowdy’s appointment is likely to take place sometime this spring – meaning the Palmetto State could soon find itself hosting another crowded election for a vacant congressional seat.
Last month, former U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Trump’s director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Mulvaney’s confirmation formally launched a no-holds-barred campaign for the South Carolina fifth congressional seat – which Mulvaney had held since January 2011.
Seven Republicans have already formally declared themselves as candidates for the “Fightin’ Fifth” – and filing doesn’t close for another week.
No Democrats have filed.
Trump is expected to nominate Gowdy to fill a seat on the U.S. fourth circuit court of appeals. Based in Richmond, Virginia, the fourth circuit handles cases from five southern states – Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. It is comprised of fifteen judges (not including two active judges currently on senior status).
Numerous prospective candidates are already being discussed in connection with Gowdy’s seat. Among them? S.C. thirteenth circuit solicitor Walt Wilkins, State Senator William Timmons, former SCGOP chairwoman Karen Floyd, S.C. Rep. Dan Hamilton, Greenville investor John Warren, S.C. Rep. Garry Smith and Greenville attorney William Herlong.
We expect many additional names to emerge once the speculation concerning Gowdy bubbles over into the mainstream media.
First elected in 2010, Gowdy began his tenure in Congress as an uncompromising advocate for freedom and free markets. In receny years, though, he has drifted toward the mushy “middle” of the American political spectrum – highlighted by his 2016 presidential endorsement of establishment favorite Marco Rubio.
Having said that, we believe he would be a good judge – and would support his nomination.
Banner via U.S. House of Representatives