Liberal attorney Marguerite Willis is eyeing state senator John Scott as her choice for lieutenant governor – hoping he can help her win the Democratic party’s three-way primary for governor.
Scott – who briefly flirted with a gubernatorial bid of his own – is reportedly set to be announced as Willis’ “lite gov” choice this week.
Is he a good selection? Politically, perhaps …
Scott, 64, is the definition of a career politician. He has been in the S.C. General Assembly since 1990, serving 18 years in the S.C. House of Representatives and another decade in the State Senate. He currently represents S.C. Senate District 19 (map), which covers some of the poorest, most crime-ridden regions of the Columbia, S.C. metropolitan area.
Bottom line? His “service” has been very beneficial to him, just not the people he’s represented all those years.
Anyway, our guess is Willis wants to counter her lack of prior political experience with someone who has spent considerable time in state government.
Oh, we’re also guessing she is checking off another box with Scott … (he’s black, she’s white).
Willis’ gubernatorial campaign – which we explored in more detail here – is part of an ongoing schism within the Democratic party, a battle between radical progressives and establishment Democrats. On the far left end of the spectrum are Willis and Charleston, S.C. businessman Phil Noble. Closer to the center? Columbia, S.C. attorney, Afghan War veteran and longtime state lawmaker James Smith.
Does it matter who wins the battle? No …
South Carolina’s gubernatorial election will be decided by the “Republican” primary – which features incumbent Henry McMaster holding on for dear life against a field of credible challengers including lieutenant governor Kevin Bryant, Lowcountry labor attorney Catherine Templeton and Upstate businessman John Warren.
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