Afghan War veteran and former South Carolina House of Representatives’ minority leader James Smith landed a key endorsement on Tuesday in his bid to secure the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
Smith was endorsed by former Charleston, S.C. mayor Joe Riley – a Holy City institution who won ten terms as mayor from 1975 through 2015.
“James Smith has always put his community, state and country first,” Riley said. “He represents the kind of politics and policies that will advance our state for the better. From his service in Afghanistan to his tireless efforts in the legislature to pass bi-partisan legislation that will improve our schools, infrastructure and economy, he is the leader our state needs.”
Wait … improve our schools?
Anyway, Smith said he was “beyond humbled” to receive Riley’s endorsement.
“During his time as Mayor, he focused on bringing people together to make his community a better place for people from all walks of life,” Smith said. “It is that type of leadership I hope to bring to the governor’s office.”
Riley’s endorsement matters because Smith’s only announced challenger for the Democratic nomination (so far) is Lowcountry businessman Phil Noble – a hardcore progressive who is likely to occupy the far left fringe of the ideological spectrum in this race.
Noble’s base is in the Charleston area, and Riley’s decision to bet on Smith as his horse for the governor’s race should help solidify the perception that the outcome of this race is a foregone conclusion.
Of course given the overwhelmingly “Republican” lean of the Palmetto State, it really doesn’t matter who Democrats nominate for this office. Or any statewide office. The race for governor of South Carolina will be decided in the June 2018 GOP primary, which at the moment is shaping up to be a slugfest between doddering incumbent Henry McMaster and hard-charging challenger Catherine Templeton.
Then again if this race has taught us anything it’s that everything is in flux … especially with an unpredictable public corruption investigation hanging over the proceedings.
***
WANNA SOUND OFF?
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our stories? Please feel free to submit your own guest column or letter to the editor via-email HERE. Got a tip for us? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question? CLICK HERE. Want to support what we’re doing? SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Banner: Text