State GOP Endorses Shealy Over Knotts
Controversial senator loses support of his own party.
The fallout from the ballot controversy of this election season continues. This time it claims the person who is accused by some of creating it.
In an unprecedented move, Patch has learned that the South Carolina Republican Party Executive Committee is endorsing Katrina Shealy over incumbent Jake Knotts in the Senate 23 race.
The endorsement is significant on several fronts, but most notably because Knotts is a sitting state senator with 10 years of tenure. Knotts is the chair of the Rules Committee and is on several other influential committees, including the Judiciary.
It also means the state GOP is making a preference for a petition candidate over one of its own members.
Shealy was attending a family function on Saturday and when contacted by Patch she said, “We’re excited and grateful.” She added that a statement will be released to the media on Monday.
Shealy qualified as a petition candidate earlier this month after acquiring the necessary signatures to appear in the November ballot. She was required to do so after being removed from the GOP primary ballot by the State Supreme Court in May. Though she’ll be listed as a petition candidate, Shealy is a well-known conservative in Lexington County.
State GOP Executive Director Matt Moore confirmed that the endorsement occurred and was agreed upon unanimously by all 46 of the committee members who attended the regularly scheduled meeting on Saturday.
It’s the latest turn in what has been a tumultuous three months for the fiery Knotts.
It began in May when one of his associates filed a suit alleging that Shealy was ineligible to have been placed on the June primary ballot. The state Supreme Court agreed and in addition to removing Shealy, the court removed hundreds of other candidates across the state.
When members of the General Assembly attempted to correct the ballot problem by passing new legislation, Knotts blocked it on procedural grounds, leading to a public spat with Roxanne Wilson, a supporter of one of the candidates who was removed from the ballot.
In June, the Lexington County GOP asked Knotts to step down after he admitted to violating campaign laws last September that led to him returning $25,000 in contributions.
In the last week, Knotts was linked to an illegal video poker operation that donated thousands to his campaign.
Amid all this, video of infamous “raghead” comment from 2010 was released on the Internet.
Election day is November 6.
W. T. Walkup
7:18 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
I feel Knotts has embarrased our state and has not acted professionally in several ( if not any) instances. I do not trust his decision ability.
bargeman
7:19 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
There is no Republican Party in South Carolina. It has inploded. They do not even follow their bylaws or platform. They have now proved they are worse than Democrats who will back there own party and their illigal immigrants for office. I will vote a straight Republican ticket this time to prove their is no difference and they are just as Socialist as the democrats. It will also prove their will be no change in Washington. It is getting very close in time to pull a John Galt.
Judy McGee Ellis
7:20 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
Well I am sure glad its all coming out at last. I believe Katrina Shealy has worked very hard to show her supporters that she in in it to win it and make a better SC for all the people of SC. Not the good ole boy way....Please get out and vote for Katrina Frye Shealy. We need her to make a difference to our SC State Senate folks. Knotts has his buddie's he will help.....I know I have called on him and never got a call back ......hummmmm.....I guess i could not line his pockets.....just sayin......
bargeman
9:40 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
Katrina is going to turn on the Tea Party just like Halley did. She is backed by the same group.. I will not vote for her and I am going to try and get the old Republicans to vote straight party to save our country. She is on the ballot as a no party .I guess the whole republican party has imploded State wide.
Judy McGee Ellis
11:22 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
@bargeman that is your choice but believe me she will make a better place for SC and thats my choice.Why would you say that if you really don't know her. I agree with W T Walkup Knotts has really shown his true colors more than once.
Larry Frye
5:17 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
"Good Ol' Boys Politics" as usual in S.C. It doesn't matter if you're Republican or Democrat or Independent... a change is needed and Katrina is the only choice.
bargeman
3:40 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
One more choice and here I come!
David Whetsell for Senate Seat 23
My Family and I have lived in Lexington for over 30 years. I am a founding member of Covenant Community Church, and served on the building committee. As a Senate candidate, I pledge to uphold the Constitution, again attemping to remove all real and personal property taxes, which will lead to economic development. I do not plan to accept a salary or Legislative retirement. My pledge is to be a true public servant. If elected to the Senate, I will vote, introduce and co-sponsor laws that are in agreement with the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution Party platform, and the Bible. Phone: (803)957-8694 www.stoptax.org .
Rand Fan
8:13 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Who is John Galt? ; )
bargeman
8:35 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
John Galt is a fictional character in Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged (1957). Although he is not identified by name until the last third of the novel, he is the object of its often-repeated question "Who is John Galt?" and of the quest to discover the answer. Read the book and it will change your outlook.
George Grace
12:13 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
If you read, and believe in Ayn Rand, and you're an adult, you're retarded. Social Darwinism at it's worst.
Rand Fan
9:11 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
bargeman
You kill me! The comment was a wink and a nod to folks who know the book. That's it had a wink and why the sign in name is "Rand Fan."
bargeman
9:34 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Then maybe others will read. Something needs to wake them up.
John H
5:31 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Will John Gault suffer the same fate as Harrison Bergeron?
Laura
11:17 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Katrina has got my vote! I'm sick of the under the table politics. The one's who only think of how they can become famous and make more money. The one's who would sell their own mother out just to get ahead. I'm glad to see Katrina running. She has tact, ethics, and an understanding of the people of South Carolina and thier needs. I beleive she will make a different and just maybe be able to expose more of the good ole boy system that needs to go!
George Grace
12:14 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
My vote too.
Galen Manapat
12:57 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Citizens of Lexington should not reelect Jake Knotts for the following reasons: One he is at the heart of the system of corruption, backroom deals, and strenuously resisting transparency or at least public disclosure of what he has done for many years. He for example, is contemptuous of South Carolina Tea Parties who stand for fiscal responsibility, adherence to the constitution, and limited government. He has no interest in reforming public education. Two, he is a not very well educated racist that can't tell the difference between an Arab shiek and an Indian Sihk. See the famous (Youtube video) Thirdly he isn't honest enought "to play fair". (If you don't like your opponent, just get em knocked off the ballot) ! And fourthly Jake is not a real conservative. He is a republican in name only, just conservative enough to slip in and undermine other fellow Republicans later.
bargeman
1:55 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
If you vote for Shealy it is avother RINO like a Halley's clone. Vote for a REAL conseritive! David Whetsel NOT A RINO.
bargeman
7:18 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
No, he goes back and all of them stay in the vally but harrison and tis empress are killed
deborah whetsell
3:44 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Hardly ever a mention of David Whetsell running for State Senate Seat 23 against Jake Knotts & Katrina Shealy. He is running on the Constitution Party ticket, and therefore cannot accept donations from businesses, only individuals. If elected he will not take a salary or legislative retirement. He will be a true conservative public servant. He has a plant to do away with all property taxes (homes, businesses, vehicles, etc.) with a tax swap. Go to his web site at www.stoptax.org. My vote is for David Whetsell.