SC

Nikki Haley’s No. 2?

S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley is actively recruiting one of her top political donors – and one of her appointments to the powerful S.C. State Ports Authority (SCSPA) board – to run for the office of lieutenant governor in 2014, multiple sources have confirmed to FITS. Pat McKinney – a wealthy…

S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley is actively recruiting one of her top political donors – and one of her appointments to the powerful S.C. State Ports Authority (SCSPA) board – to run for the office of lieutenant governor in 2014, multiple sources have confirmed to FITS.

Pat McKinney – a wealthy Lowcountry, S.C. developer – is the third person Haley has approached and asked to run against incumbent Glenn McConnell in next year’s “Republican” primary election. Sources tell FITS Haley previously approached S.C. Sen. Shane Massey (R-Aiken) and S.C. Rep. Todd Atwater (R-Lexington) – but was rebuffed by both lawmakers.

What’s the governor’s beef with McConnell?

Well, Haley and McConnell – then the powerful president of the State Senate – engaged in a high-profile spat in 2011 following the first of three totally unproductive legislative sessions for the governor. Upset at lawmakers, Haley attempted to convene an emergency session of the S.C. General Assembly in an attempt to force them to address her agenda items – specifically her watered down government restructuring bill.

McConnell sued, arguing Haley had no constitutional authority to call for an emergency session. That lawsuit was later upheld by the S.C. Supreme Court.

The following year Haley and McConnell’s battle jumped to a higher energy level after the governor was busted selling our state’s economic interests down the river via the “Savannah River Sellout.” Livid at the governor’s nakedly self-serving act, McConnell referred to her decision – which killed a public-private port in Jasper County, S.C. and diminished the competitiveness of the Port of Charleston – as the “rape of the river.”

Haley has been trying to find a candidate to oppose McConnell ever since he took over the lieutenant governor’s office in the wake of Ken Ard’s resignation last March.

Will McKinney be her man?

We shall see …

For his part, McKinney was part of a minor controversy in September 2011 when he provided Haley and her staff with a glorified vacation on Kiawah Island. Other than that we know very little about him – except for his donations to Haley, his political appointment and the fact his son-in-law briefly worked in the governor’s office.

If he jumps in, McKinney would face McConnell and Bill Connor, an Afghan War veteran and lawyer from Orangeburg, S.C., in the GOP primary election. Running on the Democratic side is up-and-coming S.C. Rep. Bakari Sellers of Bamberg, S.C.

***

Pic: Travis Bell Photography

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34 comments

jimlewisowb June 18, 2013 at 11:38 pm

Yeah McConnell may have labeled it “rape of the river” but he didn’t do diddley when it came time to indict, arrest, put on trial, convict and carry out the sentence on the rapist, Governor Haley

McConnell is a dead duck

Whoever came up with the plan to hunt down Ard knew full well that their rifle was pointed at Ard but aimed at McConnell

Not only will McConnell lose out on the Lt. Governor’s Office he will be overlooked for the Supreme Court. He couldn’t cut it as a lawyer, has practically zero judicial experience with the exception of wearing a bath robe and with his temperament which rivals that of Toal’s ain’t nobody anxious to see him with another wooden hammer in his hand

In a few years McConnell will be found pushing a donkey cart around Market Street in the Holy City hawking Confederate coat buttons and belt buckles made in Guatemala, CSA

Reply
jimlewisowb June 18, 2013 at 11:38 pm

Yeah McConnell may have labeled it “rape of the river” but he didn’t do diddley when it came time to indict, arrest, put on trial, convict and carry out the sentence on the rapist, Governor Haley

McConnell is a dead duck

Whoever came up with the plan to hunt down Ard knew full well that their rifle was pointed at Ard but aimed at McConnell

Not only will McConnell lose out on the Lt. Governor’s Office he will be overlooked for the Supreme Court. He couldn’t cut it as a lawyer, has practically zero judicial experience with the exception of wearing a bath robe and with his temperament which rivals that of Toal’s ain’t nobody anxious to see him with another wooden hammer in his hand

In a few years McConnell will be found pushing a donkey cart around Market Street in the Holy City hawking Confederate coat buttons and belt buckles made in Guatemala, CSA

Reply
Jim June 19, 2013 at 12:05 am

Watch out for McConnell he has a submarine. Any time you say Governor with other political positions in this state the response is we don’t need any. For God sake do not ask Republican Party to help this red state out. The Republicans does not want a governor. The elected officials have to much seniority for that to be comfortable.

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OK June 19, 2013 at 12:05 am

Watch out for McConnell he has a submarine. Any time you say Governor with other political positions in this state the response is we don’t need any. For God sake do not ask Republican Party to help this red state out. The Republicans does not want a governor. The elected officials have to much seniority for that to be comfortable.

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dm10ae June 19, 2013 at 2:56 am

Jim, McConnell is looking for members to join his sub crew, hopefully he’ll choose Harrell and Leatherman, et al, the supposedly powerful legislators.

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Marie Harrison June 19, 2013 at 11:45 am

Does Glenn have a big sub?

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dm10ae June 19, 2013 at 2:56 am

Jim, McConnell is looking for members to join his sub crew, hopefully he’ll choose Harrell and Leatherman, et al, the supposedly powerful legislators.

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Marie Harrison June 19, 2013 at 11:45 am

Does Glenn have a big sub?

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Cash June 19, 2013 at 6:23 am

Haley and Tim Pearson have been and are actively looking for someone to run against State Treasurer Loftis. They approached one of my best friends and he had to tell them no on 3 occasions.

Haley does not allow anyone around her she can’t control. Frightening, but true.

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Frank June 19, 2013 at 7:51 am

I have heard that same thing. It defies common sense that haley and her people can be so small minded. We need more courageous elected officials not more lapdogs that do what they are told

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? June 19, 2013 at 9:23 am

It’s a sad statement on her priorities.

She’s got so many things to potentially focus on and despite personal issues with a guy who seems to genuinely care about his job she’s gonna spend time on getting him booted?

What a sick bitch, really. But again, 95% of those elected are sociopaths…so once again I’m not surprised.

Democracy as it’s structured today is a failed experiment.

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Cash June 19, 2013 at 6:23 am

Haley and Tim Pearson have been and are actively looking for someone to run against State Treasurer Loftis. They approached one of my best friends and he had to tell them no on 3 occasions.

Haley does not allow anyone around her she can’t control. Frightening, but true.

Reply
Frank June 19, 2013 at 7:51 am

I have heard that same thing. It defies common sense that haley and her people can be so small minded. We need more courageous elected officials not more lapdogs that do what they are told

Reply
? June 19, 2013 at 9:23 am

It’s a sad statement on her priorities.

She’s got so many things to potentially focus on and despite personal issues with a guy who seems to genuinely care about his job she’s gonna spend time on getting him booted?

What a sick bitch, really. But again, 95% of those elected are sociopaths…so once again I’m not surprised.

Democracy as it’s structured today is a failed experiment.

Reply
Nan June 19, 2013 at 7:25 am

The woman thinks she is “Supreme Commander” (dictator)!
If you do not cowtow to her, bow before her and agree with her totally, she is out to get you!
You can bet she won’t look for anyone to Challenge Peeler, they are in bed together and have the same low morals, ethics and vindictiveness!

Reply
Nan June 19, 2013 at 7:25 am

The woman thinks she is “Supreme Commander” (dictator)!
If you do not cowtow to her, bow before her and agree with her totally, she is out to get you!
You can bet she won’t look for anyone to Challenge Peeler, they are in bed together and have the same low morals, ethics and vindictiveness!

Reply
lowcorider June 19, 2013 at 8:34 am

Ole Glenn was one of only a few that Nim couldn’t seduce. Ya see Glenn, like nobody, ain’t got time for that.

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Lowcorider June 19, 2013 at 8:34 am

Ole Glenn was one of only a few that Nim couldn’t seduce. Ya see Glenn, like nobody, ain’t got time for that.

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Marie Harrison June 19, 2013 at 9:30 am

Todd and Shane know that she will lose the election.

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Marie Harrison June 19, 2013 at 9:30 am

Todd and Shane know that she will lose the election.

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Curious June 19, 2013 at 10:31 am

I think I’ll go with Sellers here. I don’t think any Republican Haley tries to put up can beat McConnell, and I’m sure as hell not voting for him.

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Curious June 19, 2013 at 10:31 am

I think I’ll go with Sellers here. I don’t think any Republican Haley tries to put up can beat McConnell, and I’m sure as hell not voting for him.

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Marie Harrison June 19, 2013 at 11:50 am

Wow, she looks so much like Margaret Hamilton from the Wizard of Oz. Haven’t seen a nose and chin like that since watching Oz as a kid.

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Marie Harrison June 19, 2013 at 11:50 am

Wow, she looks so much like Margaret Hamilton from the Wizard of Oz. Haven’t seen a nose and chin like that since watching Oz as a kid.

Reply
Aura Green June 19, 2013 at 12:23 pm

Remember Darla Moore?

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Aura Green June 19, 2013 at 12:23 pm

Remember Darla Moore?

Reply
MGTT June 19, 2013 at 1:48 pm

Is it a given that Haley will be the Republican nominee? Does no one in the Republicrat Party dare defy her?

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MGTT June 19, 2013 at 1:48 pm

Is it a given that Haley will be the Republican nominee? Does no one in the Republicrat Party dare defy her?

Reply
Nethan Bedford Forrest June 20, 2013 at 12:42 am

McConnell’s still carrying on his affair with Warren Latch, the Friends of the Hunley chairman. His nose ought to be rubbed into the rust of that piece of confederate shit.

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Nethan Bedford Forrest June 20, 2013 at 12:42 am

McConnell’s still carrying on his affair with Warren Latch, the Friends of the Hunley chairman. His nose ought to be rubbed into the rust of that piece of confederate shit.

Reply
RR June 20, 2013 at 7:33 am

Has he been a good Lt. Governor?

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RR June 20, 2013 at 7:33 am

Has he been a good Lt. Governor?

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lawzoo June 20, 2013 at 2:26 pm

1) There is an Office of Lt. Gov.
2) People raise and spend money to attain it.
3) It is a position of power.
4) Anyone cares about it.

Honestly those are four of life’s mysteries that I have never understood.

Reply
lawzoo June 20, 2013 at 2:26 pm

1) There is an Office of Lt. Gov.
2) People raise and spend money to attain it.
3) It is a position of power.
4) Anyone cares about it.

Honestly those are four of life’s mysteries that I have never understood.

Reply

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