Brown's departure likely to set off Lowcountry rumble
By Tom Baxter
Southern Political Report
January 4, 2010 — US Rep. Henry Brown (R-S.C.) announced Monday he won't seek a sixth Congressional term, setting up what is likely to be a heatedly contested race for his Lowcountry seat. Brown, 74, already had two primary opponents, Carroll Campbell III, son of former Gov. Carroll Campbell, and fomrer aide Katherine Jenerette. Charleston County Councilman Paul Thurmond, son of the late US Sen. Strom Thurmond, said after Brown's announcement he is also interested in the race. That could mean a primary battle between the sons of what were the two biggest names in South Carolina Republican politics. Brown won the closest race of his career in 2008 against Democrat Linda Ketner. She has expressedno interest in a rematch, but two Democrats, pilot Robert Burton and businessman Robert Dobbs, have already announced for the race. There was speculation Brown's announcement could also draw more Democrats. Among the names in circulation are attorney Mullins McLeod, who's now in the governor's race, and former legislator and Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Robert Barber. -- In an eyebrow-raising switcheroo, Georgia state Rep.Jim Cole turned down his appointment to be the state's new secretary of state on the day it was to be announced, and Gov. Sonny Perdue named former Republican state Sen. Brian Kemp, one of three people already running for the job. The last-minute switch, and Perdue's choice of someone already running for the job, has already touched off protests in the blogosphere. The job became open when Republican Karen Handel resigned to devote full time to her race for governor. Follow Tom Baxter on Twitter. |
