I'm running for the State House and I could Use Your Help.

[styersc]

My name is Kenneth F. Styer and I am running in District 75 against incumbent and seldom challenged, GOP Rep. James Harrison. District 75 is located in Columbia, east Shandon, around Midlands Tech, to Ft. Jackson, to the Veterans Hospital and north to southern Forest Acres.

The district is 70% GOP and Harrison has been in the seat for almost 14 years. I am running on the United Citizen's Party Ticket (UCP is a SC Civil Rights party started in the 70's) and as a Green which was recently formed and gained ballot access in SC. In SC we have fusion voting which allows a candidate to be run by more then one party, getting the votes from all of the represented party lines. I had approached the Dems about fusing with them but they were hesitant (Dems have their hands full with the Inez campaign this year). IN this district, however, running as an "outsider" is the only opportunity I will get to sway middle of the roaders and centrist GOP'ers.

Jim Harrison is a particularly bothersome conservative. He is the sitting chair of the Judiciary Committee and is almost single-handedly responsible for blocking Minority appointments to the Courts and has a stellar record as a right wing do-boy for the SC GOP. He has opposed equitable education spending, supported anti-gay marriage legislation and weakening of environmental laws. He has drawn his own district so this is a real fight.

I am a longtime Progressive and activist. I have been endorsed by SC Pro-Vote (the political mirror of the SC Progressive network) and am looking forward to representing my district as a Progressive.

I could use help in this campaign. Months from now I may be begging for money but right now I am asking for willing volunteers. I have a campaign organization that is preparing to begin phone surveying, voter identification polling, canvassing and voter registration. Not only do I need help with this campaign but it is a good opportunity to see small campaigning from the inside while joining a real "David vs. Goliath" effort for the good of progressive ideals.

Please contact me via DU-mail if you wish to be a part of this effort. Thanks in advance, Kenneth F. Styer

PS- Please post issue ideas that you would like to see addressed. I am about to begin a "radio-blitz" and am hoping to address a variety of issues important to Dems, Greens, Citizen's (UCP) and our ilk.

[jmparks02]

1. I sympathize with you....

I have a family friend who is the mayor of a small, but very conservative town in the Upstate. Of course, small town mayors don't run on party labels, so he has never had to tell these townspeople he is a Democrat. They keep voting for him. He has a tremendous reputation and has really taken the town to the next level.

He has toyed with the idea of running for the House seat in the district. Much like your situation, the incumbent has been in the position way too long. The family friend has actually toyed with the idea of running in the Republican primary, as he feels that he could easily unseat the existing guy and win the House seat. He knows that running as a Democrat would doom him.

[Fran Kubelik]

2. delete

sorry