The evening of Jan. 15 is the first opportunity the Republican candidates for the newly created 7th Congressional District will get to publicly appeal to the voters, and there is some differing opinions on the format for this political meet-and-greet .
Members of South Carolina’s Congressional delegation will lead a candidate forum on Jan. 15 at Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach, said Chad Connelly, chairman for the S.C. Republican Party. The event will take place at 7 p.m. and is free to the public.
It is not a debate, but a forum. Every candidate will be allowed a two-minute opening statement, which will be followed by eight minutes of questioning by the delegation, said Matt Moore, executive director for the S.C. GOP.
While an individual candidate is getting their 10 minutes, the rest will be sequestered, he added. Each candidate will be asked the same questions.
Former S.C. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, a 7th District candidate, said he won’t be participating unless it’s changed to a debate format.
“To me, it just seems a little odd,” Bauer said. “I don’t even know how the crowd would have any interest.”
He added that a debate allows the candidates to see each others’ mannerisms and what they’re like during that type of political face-off.
Bauer sent a letter to the state GOP expressing his reservations about the format, including the price of admission. Moore said it’s $350 and is going toward covering costs to hold the event.
Fellow candidate Mande Wilkes said with such a crowded Republican field, she understands the need for holding a forum as opposed to a debate. However, she feels it could be a detriment to the voters because they will not see a back-and-forth between the candidates.
Moore said via e-mail that the format was chosen after consulting with Republican leaders and the current Congressional delegation.
“It is really unfeasible to hold a debate with 14 candidates,” he said. “Those kind of debates will come later.” Moore added he hopes all GOP candidates will participate, and the event is moving forward as planned.
On the other end of the spectrum, S.C. State Rep. and fellow 7th District candidate Thad Viers thinks the forum is a great opportunity, especially since the winner will serve with the Congressional delegation, who is moderating.
“I’m very comfortable. I’ve done my homework,” Viers said.
He added that he will be participating in the forum, and any candidate who doesn’t should really decide if they’re truly up for running for Congress.
Seventh Congressional hopeful Randall Wallace, a Myrtle Beach city councilman, considers himself pretty easy-going when it comes to formats, and is fine with this one.
“I don’t have any concerns about it,” he said. “I’m sure those guys (the delegation) will be pretty understanding that we’re not incumbents, so they won’t drown us.”
Wallace said debates can sometimes lose focus, while a forum allows the candidates the chance to put the issues out there to the public.
“We think this actually benefits all the candidates, and they get to give a substantive answer, as opposed to a 30-second sound byte,” Connelly said.
The other GOP candidates are: Murrells Inlet realtor Renee Culler; Myrtle Beach publishing businesswoman Debbie Harwell; Florence attorney Jay Jordan; Myrtle Beach area businessman Jim Mader; Horry County Council Chairman Tom Rice; and Grand Strand area businessman Dick Withington.
The four Democratic candidates for the 7th Congressional District weren’t invited to participate.
For those who can’t attend, the forum will be streamed live on www.SCGOP.com.
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