SCHotline Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            CONTACT: ROB GODFREY

SUNDAY, MARCH 30 , 2008                                          (803) 988-8440

SCGOP Chairman says Republicans will be united, stronger than ever

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Republican Party today announced a full slate of candidates for United States House of Representatives for the third consecutive election cycle and announced Republican candidates for the office of Solicitor in all but one judicial circuit on the ballot.  United States Senator Lindsey Graham and Buddy Witherspoon filed as candidates in the Republican primary for United States Senate.

“Republicans in South Carolina today took a big step towards victory,” said South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson.  “South Carolina Democrats are proving themselves to be long on rhetoric and short on real solutions just like their party leaders Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton – two of the U.S. Senate’s most liberal members.  With John McCain at the top of our ticket and a full slate of terrific Republican candidates, we will be stronger and more united than ever heading into November’s general election.”

The following Republicans filed as candidates for office:

United States Senate

Lindsey Graham

Buddy Witherspoon

United States House of Representatives

Henry E. Brown, Jr. (District 1)

Katherine Jenerette (District 1)

Paul V. Norris (District 1)

Phil Black (District 2)

Joe Wilson (District 2)

J. Gresham Barrett (District 3)

Bob Inglis (District 4)

Charles Jeter (District 4)

Albert F. Spencer (District 5)

Nancy Harrelson (District 6)

Solicitor

Benjy Lafond (Circuit 1)

Strom Thurmond, Jr. (Circuit 2)

Trey Gowdy (Circuit 7)

Jerry W. Peace (Circuit

Blair Jennings (Circuit 9)

Scarlett A. Wilson (Circuit 9)

Chrissy Adams (Circuit 10)

Sarah Drawdy (Circuit 10)

Donald V. Myers (Circuit 11)

Duffie Stone (Circuit 14)

Kevin Brackett (Circuit 16)

South Carolina Primary Election day is Tuesday, June 10, 2008.  Polls will be open from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 28, 200 — In an effort to improve the quality of life for South Carolina residents, South Carolina Realtors are supporting House Bill 4745. The concept, developed by Rep. Mick Mulvaney of Lancaster and York Counties, proposes an ingenuitive solution to help fast-growing areas finance infrastructure projects through Residential Improvement Districts (RID).

Funds collected from the RIDs would be used for improvements that benefit homeowners within the RID area such as roads, fire and police stations, recreation facilities and new school construction.  The bill is similar to a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, where residential homeowners living within the RID pay a slightly higher tax rate to their local government over a set number of years. This extra revenue funds government bonds from private banks. These funds pay for improvements within the RID and directly benefit homeowners, while reducing fees and taxes paid at the time of purchase.

As advocates for our communities, Realtors support solutions that open the doors for potential homeowners. SCR President Andy Walker affirms, “Homeownership is the American Dream. When taxes and fees are placed on top of the cost of a house, the additional cost eliminates many South Carolinians from the housing market and achieving the American Dream.”

Rep. Annette Young and the many co-sponsors of H.4745 recognize that homeownership is the American dream. South Carolina Realtors believe that Residential Improvement Districts will allow afford local governments the flexibility needed to adequately meet the infrastructure challenges of growing communities, while offering the necessary protections to working South Carolinians trying to achieve the American dream of homeownership. Together, we can get RID of overburdened infrastructure, congested roads, and overcrowded schools.

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South Carolina REALTORS® is the largest professional trade association in the state, serving as the voice of real estate for more than 21,000 members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a professional in real estate who subscribes to a strict code of ethics as a member of SCR and the National Association of REALTORS®.

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 RELEASES FIRST AD OF GENERAL ELECTION, LAUNCHES “SERVICE TO AMERICA” TOUR

ARLINGTON, VA — U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign today released the first television ad of the general election. The ad, entitled “624787,” poses important questions to the American people about what values they want in their next president, and highlights John McCain’s experience, character and optimistic vision for our future. “624787″ will run statewide in the important battleground state of New Mexico.

VIEW THE AD HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-QYIP7o2-A; http://johnmccain.com/service/

The campaign further announced that on Monday, John McCain will embark on a “Service to America” tour where he will introduce himself to the nation through a series of speeches and visits that trace the life of a man indebted to his nation, humbled by the opportunity to serve his country, honored by his family’s love and deeply moved by his fellow Americans’ courage and sacrifice. The tour will highlight the events and figures that shaped his views of right and wrong, forgiveness and grace and the tradition of service and sacrifice ingrained in him from generations of McCains. This “Service to America” tour will fundamentally be about the future of America and the change John McCain will bring as president, informed by the values that have guided his life.

Further details on the “Service to America” tour will be released today.

Script For “624787″ (:60-TV)

JOHN MCCAIN: Keep that faith. Keep your courage. Stick together. Stay strong. Do not yield. Stand up. We’re Americans. And we’ll never surrender.

ANNCR: What must a president believe about us? About America?

That she is worth protecting?

That liberty is priceless?

Our people, honorable?

Our future, prosperous, remarkable and free?

And, what must we believe about that president?

What does he think?

Where has he been?

Has he walked the walk?

INTERVIEWER: What is your rank?

JOHN MCCAIN: Lt. Commander in the Navy.

INTERVIEWER: And your official number?

JOHN MCCAIN: 624787

ANNCR: John McCain

The American president Americans have been waiting for.

JOHN MCCAIN: I’m John McCain and I approve this message.

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OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - PHOTO at: www.jenerette.com MS WORD DOC VERSION: Click Here

SUBJECT: US Army Paratrooper, former US Congressional Aide Katherine Jenerette Announces Campaign for Congress

DATE: March 27, 2008                               FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.jenerette.org

http://www.jenerette.org/media/index.html

On Thursday, Katherine Jenerette, 39, a former US Congressional Field representative for the 1st District, a veteran of the Persian Gulf War, and a US Army Reserve Officer formally announced her bid for the Republican nomination for the 1st District US Congressional Seat, currently held by 72-year old Rep. Henry Brown of Hanahan.

“I am formally announcing my Campaign for the Republican nomination to the United States Congress,” Jenerette said after filing her papers with the SC State Republican Headquarters in Columbia today.

“Nearly one year ago, I traveled to Washington D.C. and visited the offices of some key members of Congress and administration officials to discuss the feasibility of my possible candidacy for the 1st District US Congressional Seat,” Jenerette said. “My reception was very positive and on my return to South Carolina I spoke candidly with a number of political insiders, community leaders, and people of this district and they confirmed what I had heard over-and-over; we needed ‘new-blood’ and a new aggressive conservative congressman to represent the 1st District in Congress.”

Jenerette, who worked for Rep. Brown as a US Congressional Field representative for the 1st District said that her entry into the race is no reflection on her great respect towards his service as our Congressman since 2000.

“I know Congressman Brown to be a dedicated and hard worker,” Jenerette said “But, Washington is a far different place today than it was with a Republican majority in both Houses and our district here in South Carolina has changed tremendously over the years.”

“Times have changed,” Jenerette continued. “And our times call for a Congressman to represent our district who has the stamina to push for the people of South Carolina and to go toe-to-toe with the Democrats in general and people like Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi specifically.”

“I intend to show Speaker Nancy Pelosi a thing or two about conservative principles, our agenda for America’s future, and what young women and men of my generation feel about Washington’s ‘Politics-as-usual,” she challenged.

Jenerette said that her legislative agenda includes the priority issues of; the Economy, National Security, Health Care, Education, District Roads and Infrastructure, Out-of Control-Spending, Illegal Immigration, Compulsory Military Service among other issues and that she would be releasing position papers in the days ahead.

“I’ve been in local, state and national politics and I’m not a girl scout anymore and I know this is going to be an uphill fight,” Jenerette said. “But, just like my unit’s job in the Army has been described as being a ‘combat politician’ it reminds me a lot of South Carolina politics.”

“Lets face it, you don’t become an Army Paratrooper unless you expect to hit some hard DZ’s - Drop Zones,” Jenerette said, “and you don’t get into South Carolina politics without expecting every political and personal enemy you ever had to sharpen their knives and come after you big time.”

Jenerette, an Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm received a direct commission last year and US Presidential candidate, Senator John McCain pinned on her Lieutenant Bars in a ceremony in North Myrtle Beach - Little River.

Katherine Jenerette served as a Field Representative for the 1st Congressional District, South Carolina and a Congressional Staff Assistant to U.S. Rep. Henry E. Brown, Jr., and was a member of the North Myrtle Beach Planning Commission. Katherine also served as the CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association and a member the Horry County Envision 2025 Comprehensive Planning Committee task force.

After coming home from the Gulf War, Katherine attended the University of South Carolina, Coastal Carolina Campus on a Cross Country and Track scholarship. While in the Army, Katherine had competed in the U.S. Army Europe Track and Field Championships and as a ‘walk-on’ at USC Coastal she was recognized as one of the regions top runners when she was named to the NCAA Track & Field Big South Conference in 1994. She graduated from CCU with a degree in History in 1995 and received her Masters Degree from USC, Columbia in 1997.

Katherine is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10804, served on the board of Directors of the North Myrtle Beach Citizens Association, the I-73 Association and is a charter member of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce. She is an Adjunct Professor of History with Southeastern Community College where she teaches U.S. History and African American History. Katherine is very involved in sports activities as a runner, a Triathlete, an ocean kayaker, a sport shooter and an outdoorsman.

Katherine Jenerette is married and the mother of four children. She currently is a Commissioned Officer serving in the U.S. Army Reserve and is an Army Paratrooper. She is a graduate of the U.S. Army’s Airborne school at Ft. Benning, Georgia and is assigned to the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Katherine Jenerette was a candidate for the South Carolina Senate and was narrowly defeated in the 2004 general election. She won the majority of votes cast in Horry County which makes up nearly 70% of the District 28 seat population and missed gaining the seat by a mere 1,880 votes out of over 30,500 votes cast in the race. If she had been elected she would have been the only female Republican Senator in the state of South Carolina and one of the Senate’s youngest members.

If elected, Katherine Jenerette would be the first US Congressman from Horry County since John Jenrette served as Congressman over twenty five years ago and she would become the first Republican woman in history to be elected as a U.S. Congressman from the state of South Carolina.

Katherine lives in North Myrtle Beach with her husband Van, and their four children - a son in High School, Christian David, and three daughters, Benjamin Elizabeth, Drake Katherine, and Wilson Gabrielle. They all attend Horry County Public Schools. Katherine is a member of the First Baptist Church in North Myrtle Beach and an associate member of the Huguenot Protestant Church of Charleston.

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FACTS & TRIVIA ABOUT THE 1st US CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
The 1st Congressional District was created by federal mandate after the 1990
census and reapportionment was finalized in 1992. The district includes all of Horry County
and portions of Georgetown, Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester Counties.

Over 55% of the registered voters in the District are women. Nearly 40% of the registered
voters are between the ages of 22 and 44 and another 37% are ‘Baby Boomers.’ The district
includes nearly 20% minority registered voters.

At present, there are no women that hold elected Federal Office from South Carolina. Only
four other women have been elected to the U.S. House; all were Democrats and three were
“widow mandated” only serving the final year of their husbands’ term.

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http://www.jenerette.org/media/index.html

Trey Whitehurst will announce his candidacy for the Republican nomination for the District 3 Seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives on Friday, March 28, 2008 at 12:00 p. m. in front of Keith Street Grille (101 Keith Street) in Clemson.

Whitehurst will outline his goals and positions concerning the state’s progress and will talk about what he hopes to accomplish as a legislator.

Whitehurst will be available for a question and answer period following his announcement and will also be available for interviews.

For media only inquiries and requests for available event audio, video, or still photography, contact Taft Matney by e-mail at taft@sandlappergrp.com or by phone at 864/505-8866.

Senate GOP Calls on Democrats to End Drug Testing Filibuster
Vote on Candidate Drug Testing Bill delayed for Second Day

Columbia, SC - For the second day the Senate Republican Caucus pushed
for a vote on the Candidate Drug Testing bill (S. 1070), but Democrats
continued to filibuster the bill preventing it from moving to a vote.

“This is really not an issue that should be decided by a few
dissenting voices, it is a matter that should be decided by the people
of South Carolina,” says Senate Majority Leader and sponsor of the
bill Senator Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee).

Senator Peeler introduced the idea of candidate drug testing after the
indictment of former State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel on drug charges.
“South Carolina has had several incidents over the years that
warrants a move of this type, and I believe it is a measure the people
of South Carolina will support, assuming they actually get a voice in
the matter,” says Senator Peeler.

After completing the business on the Senate calendar the Senate could
have moved to a vote on the drug testing bill, but Senator Brad Hutto
(D-Orangeburg) continued to filibuster the bill and at times appeared to
disregard the seriousness of the bill by making light of the matter.

The Senate adjourned today with Senator Hutto retaining the floor,
which sets the stage for continued debate on the bill when the Senate
convenes next week.

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DUI Bill Conference Committee Begins Work

Senate and House Members Want to Produce Strongest Bill Possible

Columbia, SC - Senate and House members sat down today to begin working out the differences between the two versions of H.3496. The conference committee consisting of three Senate members and three members from the House of Representatives went to work quickly as chairman of the Joint Legislative Conference Committee Senator Larry Martin (R-Pickens) oversaw today’s discussions.

“I am just glad we are at this point and have an opportunity to produce a strong DUI reform bill,” says Senator Martin. “I think we will be able to work through the differences quickly. Everyone here wants the same thing and that is to produce a strong DUI bill for the citizens of South Carolina.”

Committee members agreed to adopt the Senate language adding the offense of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher to be added to the list of offenses eligible for charging a person 18 years of age or older with child endangerment when a child is in the car.

The committee also agreed to remove a provision from the bill that would require those convicted of DUI to carry increased minimum liability limits on their automotive insurance, due to technical errors in the original version of the bill. “I want it to be understood that I am all for raising the minimum liability limits, and I want us to work to find another bill that we can use to move this amendment forward,” says Senator Martin. The language currently in the bill requires minimum limits on personal property damage not common among insurance carriers.  The committee requested the language be corrected and attached to another bill germane to the matter.

The committee also began preliminary discussions on the questions that a jury must answer during a DUI case, and whether or not the initial question put to the jury should include the various levels of blood alcohol content. “I think the common objective is the same and that is to make the process for the jury as simple and straight forward as possible; not to run over anyone’s rights but to insure that the process is fair for the prosecution and the defense,” says Senator Martin.

The next Joint Legislative Conference Committee on DUI is expected to meet on Wednesday, April 2 at 9: 00 AM in the Gressette building. The debate is expected to center around the differences currently separating the House and Senate versions of the bill.

In addition to Senator Martin, the conference committee consists of Senators Jake Knotts (R-Lexington), and Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg), as well as Representatives George Murrell Smith (R-Sumter), Scott Talley (R-Spartanburg), and David Weeks (D-Sumter).

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Senate GOP Pushes For Candidate Drug Testing

Democrats Seek to Stall the Bill with Filibuster

Columbia, SC - The Senate Republican Caucus began debate today on a Constitutional Amendment (S.1070) that would require all candidates filing for elected office to submit a recently completed drug test along with their candidate filing papers. Senator Jim Ritchie, (R-Spartanburg) Majority Whip, lead the Republican Caucus efforts on the Senate floor urging members to pass the measure, while Senator Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg) engaged the Senate in a filibuster.

“I just think that the citizens of this state should be able to decide whether or not they want candidates for public office to be drug-free,” says chief sponsor of the bill and Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee).  The Constitutional Amendment coincides with a statutory requirement Senator Peeler introduced after former state treasurer Thomas Ravenel was indicted on drug charges.

The Senate Republican Caucus is working to advance the candidate drug testing effort to bring more accountability to government officials.  The bill must receive two-thirds approval from both the Senate and the House before it can be placed on the ballot in November for consideration by the voters.

“It is important for the people of South Carolina to have confidence in the people that they elect and serve as their judges,” says Senator Ritchie.  “They trust us to make important decisions about their future. We should be willing to entrust them to decide whether or not our constitution should require us to be drug free.”

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