7th District forum set for Sunday, despite complaints, withdrawals

Sunday’s 7th Congressional District forum arrives after a whirlwind several days that have seen two candidates drop out of the race, and a few others refusing to take part in the event because of its format and the costs associated.

Arguably the biggest monkey wrench thrown into the race thus far for the newly created 7th District was the arrest of South Carolina state Rep. Thad Viers, 33, on Jan. 6. He was charged with first-degree harassment, a misdemeanor, stemming from allegations that he had unwanted contacts with a 28-year-old ex-girlfriend through e-mail, phone calls and text messaging and showing up at her home and work.

Following his arrest, Viers announced he was dropping out of the race for the 7th Congressional District seat.

Chad Connelly, chairman of the S.C. GOP, said Viers’ departure “reshuffles the deck,” as someone who is a sitting legislator would have to be perceived as a frontrunner.

“If you take all the names and personalities out of it, I would give some kind of leg up in this deal to an Horry County resident,” Connelly said.

If convicted, Viers could face up to three years in prison. His attorney previously said he has no plans of resigning from the state House, although a grand jury indictment could lead to Viers’ suspension by House Speaker Bobby Harrell.

Also this week, Myrtle Beach businesswoman Debbie Harwell became the second candidate to drop out of the race.

She said she needs to spend time with her husband, who developed health issues over the Christmas holiday.

That brings the number of candidates vying for the 7th District seat to a still-large 13.

“I think it’s going to narrow the playing field,” said Renee Culler, a Murrells Inlet realtor and Republican candidate for the seat.

She said a large candidate pool makes it hard for voters to get know a lot about them and their platforms. The shrinking number can only benefit those congressional hopefuls who plan to stick it out.

An issue of cost

Culler, however, won’t be introducing herself and her stance on issues to constituents who turn out for Sunday’s 7th District forum.

She’d initially planned to be at Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach for the event, but that was when she thought it was going to be a debate.

Instead, the forum format allows each candidate to make a two-minute introduction before spending eight minutes answering questions from the state’s congressional delegation. During those 10 minutes, the other candidates will be sequestered.

“It’s kind of like ‘The Dating Game’ … or a hide-and-seek-the-candidate type of format,” Culler said.

The format is the No. 1 reason Culler decided not to participate. The other is the $300 fee the state GOP is charging the candidates to take part.

Culler added her campaign is new, and she doesn’t have the funds to take part.

“I also find it very inappropriate to charge the candidates for the opportunity to speak and the inference of ‘to gauge candidates’ seriousness’ that we should pay this fee to prove we are somewhat worthy,” she said.

Former Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has also said he wouldn’t attend the forum.

Connelly stands by the format. He previously said it will benefit the candidates since it allows them to give a substantive answer instead of a 30-second sound bite.

Democratic candidate Gloria Tinubu agrees, despite the fact that the forum is only open to GOP candidates during this GOP weekend in Myrtle Beach, which culminates with Monday’s Republican presidential debate at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

“It really depends on how much time is given,” Tinubu said. “We are so used to these a-few-second-sound-bite kinds of responses.

Tinubu is one of five Democratic candidates vying for the seat. The field had been predominantly GOP hopefuls, but with Viers’ and Harwell’s exits, their number is down to eight.

Even though their names have been listed as candidates for a while, both Tinubu and fellow Democrat Preston Brittain officially announced their candidacies this week.

Tinubu said she is excited about the opportunity to give back to her community, if elected. The Plantersville native and former Atlanta-area politician counts education and training as crucial to productivity in South Carolina.

“I believe it’s my responsibility to inspire our children [and] grandchildren to realize their full potential,” Tinubu said.

Area attorney Brittain said via a news release that the “dysfunction and gridlock” in Washington is hurting the nation.

“To confront the big challenges, such as strengthening and growing the middle class, we cannot rely on the same politics of the past. In order to get different solutions, we need different leaders – the current crowd up there simply isn’t getting it done,” Brittain said.

The other Democratic candidates are local attorney Parnell Diggs; North Myrtle Beach businessman Gary Stephens; and state Rep. Ted Vick, from Chesterfield.

On the Republican side, the remaining hopefuls are: Florence attorney Jay Jordan; Myrtle Beach area businessman Jim Mader; Horry County Council Chairman Tom Rice; Myrtle Beach Councilman Randal Wallace; local author Mande Wilkes and Grand Strand area businessman Dick Withington.