Bauer going after support, dollars from Sanford base

Apparently, not all of Gov. Mark Sanford‘s power base is transferring over to Rep. Nikki Haley in the GOP primary race for governor. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who hasn’t always been on good terms with Sanford, has picked up part of that support, according to his second quarter disclosure report.

First is the fact that, beyond hiring Virginia consultant Chris LaCivita, he has also joined forces with lobbyist Larry Marchant. Marchant is known best for his firm, Palmetto Policy Group, lobbying on behalf of South Carolinians for Responsible Government. Bauer apparently is also locating his campaign headquarters in the PPG/SCRG/S.C. Club for Growth building at 3020 Devine Street in Columbia. We didn’t know before, but it looks like Marchant’s political strategy operation is called, “Black Label Strategy.” As of yet, we’re not sure if that relates to clandestine activities or an affection for a particular type of liquor.

Then there are contributions from close-circling planets in the Sanford system, Mallory Factor and Thomas Ravenel.

Contributions: $121,764.72
Expenditures: $50,553.05
Cash on Hand: $570,376.57

Of note:

CONTRIBUTIONS
Jim Miles Law Firm, $1,000
Former secretary of state
Margaritaville Enterprises, $3,500
Jimmy Buffett’s company
James D’Alessio, $500
VP of Government Affairs, Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC
Mallory Factor, $1,000
Power broker, &c.
Walgreens, $3,500
Drug store
Burnie Maybank, $500
Former director of S.C. Department of Revenue
Thomas Ravenel, $1,000
Former state treasurer

DISBURSEMENTS
3020 Devine Street LLC (rent), $200
Black Label Strategy (consulting), $2,000
Jessica Caswell (phone, reimbursement, retainer), $155.98, $186, $2,500 x2
Advancing Strategies (consulting) $5,000 x2
The Campaign Connection (fundraising), $2,758.93, $4,116