Roger Milliken, South Carolina giant, dies
December 31, 2010 — Roger Milliken, who had an enormous influence on both the economy and the politics of South Carolina, died Thursday in Spartanburg at the age of 95. Born to a family of Northeastern industrialists, Milliken moved to Spartanburg in 1954 and built a textile manufacturing empire. A stauchly anti-union conservative with a bent for environmental causes, Milliken was one of the founders of the South Carolina Republican Party – and thereby the brand of Republicanism which now dominates the South – in the 1960s. He was a major contributor to conservative candidates, including Strom Thurmond, Jesse Helms and Ronald Reagan. Milliken remained heavily involved in his company and civic affairs in the state until late in his life. -- A former Harlem Globetrotter elected to the Arkansas House is facing charges for allegedly cashing a check which had been issued in mistake and not taking steps to correct the error. Rep.-elect Fred Smith has denied the charges. -- Republican Rep. Connie Mack is sending signals he’s preparing to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. |
