Confirmed: Drake running for governor
Even after a Free Times article hinted at it, we still can’t believe it. But, our Democratic sources have confirmed that the “stealth Democratic gubernatorial candidate” is Columbia lobbyist Dwight Drake, and the announcement is supposed to be slated for Monday for sometime in the next couple weeks.
As we understand it, the task of looking for a viable third candidate was undertaken by former S.C. Democratic Party chair Dick Harpootlian and former Gov. Jim Hodges, in an effort that has been going on since March. There is certainly a lack of Democrats in this state with the wealth and interest at running for governor, but it’s confusing as to why smart politicos went to a lobbyist for the state’s highest office, the candidate sponsored by GEICO. Really — the skullet will scare small children.
In addition, there’s the groups that Drake has lobbied for, which won’t curry him favor with the Democratic base. As of the latest disclosures, Drake represents:
U.S. Bank
MillerCoors, LLC
Community Financial Services Association
Altria
Progress Energy
Trident Technical College
BMW
General Electric
Boeing
S.C. Research Authority
AT&T
Littlefield Corporation
It’s not hard for an opponent to go to the voters and ask them if they want a governor that has been advocating for payday lenders, cigarettes, booze and energy companies. Hell, if he could steal away the Poker Players Alliance from Larry Marchant, he could round up all the vices. That may be why we heard that Hodges has been backing away from the effort.
All we can say is that these guys must have one hell of a campaign plan to pull off this move.
