Can Jaime Harrison End the Democrats' Drought in South Carolina?

[BeckyDem]

( I hope so. )

The Times talked to Mr. Harrison, the first black chairman of the state’s Democratic Party, about his bid to unseat Senator Lindsey Graham.

By Astead W. Herndon

May 29, 2019

Let’s begin with the obvious: No Democrat has won a statewide race in South Carolina since 2006.

That includes nationally recognizable names like Bakari Sellers, the former state legislator who ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor and is now a CNN commentator, and moderates like James Smith Jr., who lost his race for governor last year to the Republican incumbent, Gov. Henry McMaster.

Enter Jaime Harrison.

Mr. Harrison, the first black chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party and a former Washington lobbyist, declared his candidacy on Wednesday morning for the U.S. Senate seat held by Lindsey Graham, a Republican who has served three terms. Mr. Graham’s race is likely to draw attention in 2020: He has shifted from a sharp critic of President Trump to a prominent ally, and Democrats are hoping that grass-roots energy around defeating Mr. Trump will help some Senate and House candidates score unlikely victories. (Mr. Trump carried South Carolina by 14 percentage points in 2016, of course.)

In an interview with The Times in New York City, Mr. Harrison — who stepped down as state party chair in 2017 — discussed the difference between a conservative and a Republican (in his view), the 2020 Democratic presidential race, and why he believes some South Carolinians will punish Mr. Graham for his embrace of Mr. Trump.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/us/politics/jaime-harrison-lindsey-graham.html

[raccoon]

1. I hope so. There are so many Repuglicans in this state, it is sickening. nt

[BeckyDem]

2. I agree. I am thrilled he is making a go at it.

[Submariner]

3. If Graham indeed did have an affair with an underage Senate Page it could end the drought

Trump's got the goods on Graham. How else to explain the kowtowing and ass kissing on Linsey's part.

[GoCubsGo]

4. Doubtful.

Like raccoon said, there are way too many republicans here. It would take a real bombshell to turn these people against Graham. Besides, there's no way in hell that these racist assholes are going to allow TWO black senators, even if they did decide to oust Graham. They'd primary him first. If they wouldn't vote for a white war hero like Smith, they ain't going to vote for Harrison. That being said, he has my vote. Wish I had the means to contribute financially to his campaign.

[BeckyDem]

5. I don't know.

Harrison will get support perhaps from unlikely places, its too early to say.

Glad he is trying though, no way out of this unless we go for it.

[nevergiveup]

6. If he makes Lindsey even a tiny bit nervous,

I would consider that a victory.

[Wellstone ruled]

7. The only factor that will

hurt Harrison will be Voter Suppression and out right Fraud.

[Gothmog]

8. I hope so

Link to tweet