One of the most popular theories in Palmetto politics over the weekend revolved around the possibility that state representative Katie Arrington – seriously injured in a car crash on Friday evening – might not be able to continue on as the GOP nominee in the race for South Carolina’s first congressional district.
In fact while many of the state’s influential “Republican” insiders publicly offered up prayers for Arrington’s recovery, they privately plotted for ways to replace her on the ballot.
Would the GOP executive committee have to pick a replacement? Or would a convention of first district “Republican” leaders need to be called?
Some even suggested Mark Sanford – the career politician Arrington vanquished in the GOP primary earlier this month – ought to be considered as a possible replacement for her on the ballot.
“Sanford was gonna find a way in,” one GOP donor and former staffer to the congressman told us.
Meanwhile Democrats – who had the good sense to pull the negative ads they had just launched against the 47-year-old lawmaker – began stoking speculation that Arrington might not be able to carry on as her party’s nominee.
Jeez …
Worse than vultures, aren’t they? Yes … the lot of them.
To be clear: Arrington was seriously injured in Friday night’s car crash. She broke bones in her back, broke several ribs and damaged her internal organs. She has already undergone two (successful) surgeries to address these injuries and has at least one more surgery ahead of her – and that’s before we get to her rehabilitation.
Much to the chagrin of the vultures, though, Arrington is going to be just fine.
Which those of us who know her knew already …
“It is still expected that Katie will remain in the hospital for the next two weeks and will make a full recovery,” her campaign noted on Twitter late Sunday.
Full?
“The doctors have made it clear that, despite the fact all of the injuries were very serious and all surgeries were very complicated, Katie will have no neurological deficits or limitations moving forward,” her campaign added. “And she is expected to be out of bed and walking as early as next few days.”
Again, that is amazing news … the best possible answer to the many prayers lifted up on Arrington’s behalf over the last few days.
But it isn’t a surprise …
[timed-content-server show=’2018-Jan-17 00:00:00′ hide=’2018-Jul-31 00:00:00′]SPONSORED CONTENT
[/timed-content-server]Anyone who has spent five minutes with Arrington knows they could have mowed her down with a garbage truck – then backed the truck over her and mowed her down again – and still failed to knock her out of this race.
She earned this nomination, people … and she’s not about to let the vultures snatch it from her.
In fact, between surgeries we’re told Arrington was scratching out notes to her campaign staffers – including one reportedly imploring them to “get (me) out of here.”
Ha!
Doctors haven’t even finished patching her up and Arrington is already trying to bust out of the hospital.
Does that sound like someone who needs to be replaced on the ballot? Hell no …
Arrington will face off against Democrat Joe Cunningham in November – an election Democrats think they can win as part of the blue wave that pundits are projecting will sweep across the country.
If they hope to pull it off they better come with more than they are currently bringing. Because in case it wasn’t clear before, they are running against a friggin’ Terminator.
***
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 or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE. Want to support what we’re doing? SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Banner: Sam Holland for S.C. House of Representatives