South Carolina state representative Patsy Knight – one of the few remaining white, rural Democrats in the S.C. General Assembly – has drawn GOP opposition in her bid for reelection to the S.C. House of Representatives.
Former S.C. first circuit prosecutor Mandy Wilkerson Kimmons filed on Thursday to run as a “Republican” for S.C. House District 97 (map) – a seat Knight has represented since 2006. Another GOP candidate has reportedly filed for this seat, but Kimmons is considered the early favorite to capture her party’s nomination.
Here’s a look at her submitting her paperwork …
(Click to view)
(Via: Provided)
Knight is viewed as tremendously vulnerable after U.S. president Donald Trump carried her district in November 2016 by a whopping 58-37 percent margin.
In fact this is one of the districts the GOP is targeting in its bid to achieve a super-majority in the S.C. House.
“We want them – and we can get them,” one GOP operative told us, referring to a trio of districts Trump carried with twenty-point (or better) margins a year-and-a-half ago.
The other districts targeted by “Republicans” are S.C. House District 42 (map) – currently held by state representative Michael Anthony – and S.C. House District 52 (map), currently held by state representative Laurie Slade Funderburk.
Anthony and Funderburk are also rural, white Democrats.
Knight’s situation is the most precarious of the three, though.
Earlier this month – according to numerous House members – she assailed fellow Democratic state representative Beth Bernstein over the latter’s attire. We referenced this incident in a broader piece on the evolving dynamics of power, sex and fashion at the S.C. State House.
Knight’s comments were roundly condemned – especially by members of her own party.
Translation? It’s not just the GOP she’ll be fighting in the November election …
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