The mayor of South Carolina’s third-largest city is endorsing the congressional campaign of a first-time challenger – not the three-term incumbent many believe is a lock to win reelection.
Mayor Keith Summey of North Charleston, S.C. is endorsing the candidacy of GOP challenger Katie Arrington – who is mounting a credible challenge to career politician Mark Sanford in the race for the Palmetto State’s first congressional district (map).
“We need Katie Arrington in Congress because she not only understands the American Dream but she has also lived it,” Summey said in backing Arrington’s bid. “Katie has gone from working the graveyard shift at Denny’s to being an extremely successful business owner. Katie understands the struggles our community faces firsthand and has offered real solutions to overcome them.”
“I proudly endorse Katie Arrington and encourage everyone in South Carolina’s first congressional district to vote for her in the Republican Primary in June,” Summey added.
Arrington said Summey’s endorsement was another sign of her campaign’s budding momentum, which is hoping to hit its peak when voters hit the polls in three-and-a-half months.
“I am extremely proud to have earned the support of Mayor Keith Summey, who has been a community leader for decades and who has transformed North Charleston into the economic powerhouse of the Lowcountry,” Arrington said. “Our campaign continues to build momentum, as leaders like Mayor Summey continue to add their voices to our growing chorus of Lowcountry leaders ready for a new voice in Washington.”
Sanford is exceedingly vulnerable following an underwhelming showing in the GOP primary for this seat two years ago. He’s also staring down a potentially serious campaign finance scandal as well as blowback from his starring role in the #NukeGate debacle – the Palmetto State’s spectacularly failed government intervention in the energy industry.
Sanford – one of the most prominent #NeverTrumpers in congress – enjoys a sizable cash advantage over his challenger as this race hits its homestretch. However, Arrington has been aggressively raising money in recent weeks and has actually out-raised the former two-term governor in two consecutive fundraising quarters.
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Banner: Sam Holland/ S.C. House of Representatives