Stop the insanity. It broke wide today, but it’s been assumed for a while that Rep. Tim Scott, in just his first year in the House, is jumping into the race to replace U.S. Rep. Henry Brown in the First District. Yesterday, Scott’s consultants at Starboard Communications sent out an invitation to meet the candidate in Conway this evening.

We consider it funny that even before a proper announcement, people were already being invited “to meet Republican Congressional candidate Tim Scott.” Wait, really? The AP, which sent a story across the wire around lunch time, apparently didn’t know, either. Leaving the lieutenant governor’s race, he was second in money with over $170,000 on hand.

Here’s something to ponder — five months out from the primary, there are seven Republican candidates and three Democratic candidates. Trading the coast for DC must be a really attractive option these days.

Holy hell, the Second District race is going to make a lot of people a lot of money. U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson still has a large lead on challenger Rob Miller, but both have the fundraising stats that are more on par with a statewide race. Both took cash nationwide, but there’s a difference. Wilson used the Internet and direct mail to solicit a lot of his donations. Miller flew around the country to do his. Both spent a great deal of money to bring in more money.

JOE WILSON
Republican
Contributions: $401,954.41
Expenditures: $612,042.93
Cash-on-hand: $2,341,915.32
(Debt: $102,359.29)

Significant contributions
David All, $250
The David All Group
Joe Edens, $400, $1,000
Edens & Avant
Whit Ayres, $1,000
Pollster
Don Tomlin, $2,000
Tomlin & Co.
Jake Rasor, $2,000
Restaurant franchisee
Roger Milliken, $4,800
Milliken Corporation
Association of Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchisees, $2,000
Business organization
Chickasaw Nation, $1,000
Native American organization

Significant expenditures
The Bivings Group (Web site enhancement), $3,000
Dustin Olson Consulting (campaign manager fee), $10,000, $5,000, $5,000
E2C Consulting (fundraising), $3,000×2, $2,000
Jump! New Media (Web site development), $9,000, $1,060.25, $11,791.54, $8,066.17
Cocentric Office (mail processing), $18,627, $531.69, $3,750
School Cuts (T-shirts), $2,466.56
Velvetex (flyers, signs), $5,323.25
The Richard Norman Company (direct mail), $65.633.05
Pour House (dinner event), $1,431.40
Jamestown Associates (consulting, video), $28,000
Benjamin Clarke (speech and article prep), $7,500
Farley Enterprises (online fundraising advertising), $16,270.50
Response America (direct mail), $5,877.76
David All Group (online fundraising), $72,775.20, $91,791.84
Carolina First Visa Card (credit card), $15,424.51, $16,339.29
Ayres, McHenry & Associates (polling), $28,800, $1,400
Advantage (polling), $1,600
Washington Intelligence Bureau (direct mail caging), $1,903.83, $2,621.56
The Phillips Group (fundraising), $2,925
Media Ad Ventures (direct mail), $28,985.78
MDI Imaging & Mailing (postage), $4,417.36
Mail Marketing Strategies (direct mail), $3,559.88
Bobby Van’s Steakhouse (meal expense), $1,490.85
WilandDirect (list rental), $3,750
S.C. Republican Party (contribution), $25,000
National Republican Congressional Committee (contribution), $25,000

ROB MILLER
Democrat
Contributions: $224,276.13
Expenditures: $223,156.12
Cash-on-hand: $1,678,333.40

Significant contributions
Irene Foxhall, $1,000
VP, Continental Airlines
Thomas Gibson, $1,000, $400
Actor
Royce West, $500
Texas state senator
Avon Ray Honey Campaign Fund, $500
Campaign committee
College Democrats of New York, $200
Political organization
Debbie Wasserman Schultz for Congress, $2,000
Campaign committee

Significant expenditures
4C Partners (field consulting), $10,000
Adrienne Donato (fundraising), $2,500
Ben Ray (Web expenses), $1,697.95, $1,500×2
Bryant Park Hotel (event expenses), $1,533.61
Cielo (catering), $2,121, $3,998.64
Darrison Barrett & Associates (fundraising), $3,000
Envision Communications (advertising), $15,501.90, $1,524.92
Intercontinental Chicago (event expenses), $1,000, $1,874
Mia Phifer & Associates (fundraising), $1,500
MSHC (web expenses, printing), $550, $877, $3,000, $35,435.62, $100×3
New Partners Consulting (research), $5,000
NGP Software (database), $1,609.75, $500, $5,135
Political Development Group, $3,500×2

Whether U.S. Rep. Henry Brown had the support in the First District to win reelection, he certainly had the cash-on-hand to run the full-out effort needed to win the seat. Every body else is getting in the game late, and Tumpy Campbell would be facing a Mulvaney-esque deficit in comparison. Also, Gov. Mark Sanford still has money, and it’s just sitting there, as it always does.

Not running:
HENRY BROWN
Republican
Contributions: $65,038.42
Expenditures: $14,365.12
Cash-on-hand: $724,324.18

Significant contributions
Chip Campsen, $1,000
State senator
Ray Cleary, $500
State senator
Butler Derrick, $500
Former U.S. representative
Arthur Ravenel, $250
Former U.S. representative

Significant expenditures
None.

MARK SANFORD
Republican
Contributions: $0
Expenditures: $0
Cash-on-hand: $127,342.25

Significant contributions
None.

Significant expenditures
None.

Active candidates:
TUMPY CAMPBELL
Republican
Contributions: $24,865
Expenditures: $33,001.91
Cash-on-hand: $42,693.50

Significant contributions
Mark Buyck, $1,000
Attorney
Gedney Howe, $500
Attorney

Significant expenditures
20/10 Design (Web site design), $1,800
J.R. Rowell Printing (printing), $1,266.35, $102.13, $1,922.10, $677.25
Littlefield Consulting (consulting), $2,783.63, $2176.99, $1,758.43
Millard Mulé (consulting), $3,000×2, $3,087.66
UPT Strategies (consulting), $2,696.01, $2,008.21, $1,750

ROBERT BURTON
Democrat
Contributions: $2,950
Expenditures: $4,891.83
Cash-on-hand: $3,058.17
(Loan: $5,000)

Significant contributions
None.

Significant expenditures
None.

As Randy Moss said, “Straight cash, homey.” That’s what U.S. Rep. John Spratt has, and it’s quite a large advantage over his challenger, Sen. Mick Mulvaney. This time, though, Spratt’s contributions are almost exclusively from corporate and union PACs, which means that his Washington fundraiser is definitely doing her work. Both candidates are carrying a debt load.

JOHN SPRATT
Democrat
Contributions: $76,641.19
Expenditures: $31,099.11
Cash-on-hand: $645,791.66
(Debt: $44,000)

Significant contributions
Nancy Pelosi for Congress, $2,000×2
Campaign committee of the U.S. Speaker of the House

Significant expenditures
Carolina Public Relations and Marketing (advertising), $2,266.48, $1,076.50, $1,005
Pattie Fiorello (fundraising), $4,000×3
National Guard Association (contribution), $1,000
Piedmont Specialty Advertising (campaign supplies), $1,420.91
John Alan Presto (fundraising), $1,596×3

MICK MULVANEY
Republican
Contributions: $53,331.90
Expenditures: $11,135.99
Cash-on-hand: $117,197.42
(Loan: $75,000)

Significant contributions
Gayle Averyt, $1,000
Former chairman, Colonial Life
Ralph Norman, $1,000
State representative
Chad Walldorf, $1,000
S.C. Club for Growth

Significant expenditures
MacPherson Group (fundraising), $2,700×2
The Mace Group (Web site design), $2,048

Perusing the last of the SC-04 reports, it’s clear that the money competition is squarely between U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis and Solicitor Trey Gowdy. Inglis has the advantage of PAC money that comes from being an incumbent congressman, while Gowdy has been prodigious in packing his war chest.

TREY GOWDY
Contributions: $88,340
Expenditures: $64,011.95
Cash-on-hand: $204,649.74

Significant contributions
Charles Hodge, $500
Attorney
Scott Talley, $2,000
Former state representative
Advance America, $1,500
Payday lending company
Nelson Mullins, $1,000
Law firm

Significant expenditures
First Tuesday Strategies (Signage, Web site, consulting), $4,266.25, $402.32, $3,500×2, $200
Linning Smoak and Crawford (public relations), $2,500
George Ramsey (consulting, &c.), $2,500×6, $72.22, $35.20
Sparks Research (survey), $6,500
David Woodard (consulting), $975
Chad McGowan (refund), $2,400

BOB INGLIS
Contributions: $122,599.13
Expenditures: $61,973.74
Cash-on-hand: $308,291.74

Significant contributions
David Eisner, $1,000
CEO, TheMarkets.com
Steve Evered, $384
Government affairs, Michelin
Leslie McCraw, $500
Former CEO, Flour Daniel
Ed Bergin, $500
President, Lockheed Martin
Gayle Averyt, $500
Former chairman, Colonial Life
National Rifle Association, $1.000
Gun rights organization

Significant expenditures
Trevetts Direct (direct mail), $1,843.21, $450.16
Fogo De Chao (DC Fly-In dinner), $1,944.75
Bailey’s Bar & Grill (Braggin’ Rites dinner and drinks), $2,112.23

JIM LEE
Contributions: $4,795.15
Expenditures: $2,787.88
Cash-on-hand: $4,146.76

Significant contributions
None.

Significant expenditures
Dark Horse Strategy Group (logo, yard signs, business cards): $269/40, $397.50, $47.70, $300

Several of the candidates for the SC-03 race have their reports online this weekend. Lots of loans. We’re figuring the loans are to allow the candidates to spend like they want to, right out of the gate, then pay off the debt when the money starts rolling in soon.

SHANE MASSEY
Republican
Contributions: $845.60
Expenditures: $10,117.29
Cash-on-hand: $102,093.62
(Loan: $72,000)

Significant contributions
None.

Significant expenditures
Donehue Agency (printing/postage), $4,505.70
On The Mark (lapel stickers), $200

RICHARD CASH
Republican
Contributions: $20,231.99
Expenditures: $22,898.15
Cash-on-hand: $11,950.19

Significant contributions
None.

Significant expenditures
Trail Blazer Campaign Services (software), $622.92×3

REX RICE
Republican
Contributions: $45,067
Expenditures: $50,237.23
Cash-on-hand: $54,059.51
(Loan: $25,000)

Significant contributions
Bruce Bannister, $1,000
State representative
William Webster IV, $1,000
Advance America
Huck PAC, $1,000
PAC of former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee

Significant expenditures
Gadsden & Greene Strategies (consulting), $5,000×3
Richard Quinn & Associates (fundraising, printing), $9,000, $4,500, $6,694.78

MIKE VASOVSKI
Republican
Contributions: $12,422.76
Expenditures: $9,965.55
Cash-on-hand: $11,354.01
(Debt: $9,243.41)

Significant contributions
None.

Significant expenditures
None.

JANE DYER
Democrat
Contributions: $21,266.34
Expenditures: $20,357.29
Cash-on-hand: $11,689.56
(Loan: $9,200)

Significant contributions
Mike McCurry, $1,000
Former Clinton press secretary
Citizens United for South Carolina, $500
Group formed by former S.C. Democratic Party chairman Joe Erwin

Significant expenditures
None.

UPDATE: Jeff Duncan filed.

JEFF DUNCAN
Republican
Contributions: $28,915
Expenditures: $19,116.51
Cash-on-hand: $49,414.11
(Loan: $10,000)

Significant contributions
Tom Deloach, $500
S.C. BIPEC
National Auctioneers PAC, $2,500
Political action committee

Significant expenditures
Clarkson Smith Consulting (fundraising), $717.33, $1,387
Peacecraft Strategies (consulting), $7,500
WW Consulting (consulting), $7,500

The SC-04 race is one of the stranger Republican primary battles this year. U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis was considered by many a hardcore conservative when he was the GOP nominee in former U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings‘ last run for office. In subsequent years, his environmental views have put a huge target on his back, leading to this year’s very crowded primary. Sen. David Thomas and Tea Party candidate Christina Jeffrey are two of the candidates in that race to post their money numbers the earliest.

DAVID THOMAS
Contributions: $30,739
Expenditures: $27,789.32
Cash-on-hand: $91,173.66

Significant contributions
Bill Amick, $1,000
CEO, Amick Company
Joel Bieber, $1,000
Attorney
Hunter Howard, $250
CPA, Scott McElveen
Ron Walters, $750
State delegate, West Virginia

Significant expenditures
Black Label Strategy (fundraising), $9,983.50
Rod Shealy (polling expenses), $2,122

CHRISTINA JEFFREY
Contributions: $10,391
Expenditures: $17,907.33
Cash-on-hand: $16,261.28

Significant contributions
None.

Significant expenditures
Sewell Consultancy (Voter base, consulting), $3,500, $4,253.18

That was unexpected. The S.C. Democratic Party is being sued by SC-03 candidate Brian “Ryan B” Doyle over alleged slights and improprieties. His attorney uses some stronger language, indicating lying by party officials and illegal actions. What stands out are a few things.

One is the inclusion of an unnamed defendant, a “State Representative John Doe.” If you’re unfamiliar with Democratic politics in Aiken County over the past few years, it’s pretty plain that John Doe is really Rep. Bill Clyburn. This is an outgrowth of earlier issues down there. Some things went down in the Senate District 25 primary last year when Doyle went on the radio supporting Travis Johnson, who was challenging Greg Anderson for the nomination. That started a mess of allegations. We think that Sen. Shane Massey didn’t need the Democratic inside baseball to win the general election over Anderson, but whatever.

The thought seems to be a combination of racial politics and retribution for the ‘08 shenanigans led to the state party to delay putting his name up on the site next to Jane Dyer’s, and refusal to share the SC-03 voter file. We’re not sure what motive the party would have to not share the voter file, unless it was simple inertia or the allegations contain some measure of truth.

The other interesting thing is an outright indictment of the SCDP as it comes to minority candidates. The complaint says that the state power structure, including the SCDP, is only interested in minority candidates if those candidates buy in to the establishment interest of “money and power” versus the everyday voter.

Regardless of the veracity of the claims, it makes for a damn interesting read.

Doyle v. The South Carolina Democratic Party, et. al.
(It was sent out upside down, so just rotate it in your PDF program of choice.)

The retirement of U.S. Rep. Henry Brown has thrown a wrench into the plans of many Lowcountry politicians. The latest involves Rep. Tim Scott, currently a candidate in a three-way race for lieutenant governor. Granted, the SC-01 race already has legacy candidates like Tumpy Campbell and Paul Thurmond, but it winning would give the victor much more authority than one would ever have in the No. 2 spot in state government. No doubt, that’s why rumors are flying hot and heavy that Scott will go over to the SC-01 run next week.

“I think, ultimately, Representative [Henry] Brown’s retirement announcement caught us all off guard a little bit,” he said. “My first response was there was not much to think about. Then folks … started calling me and asking me to consider it.”

Scott, R-North Charleston, said as he has campaigned for lieutenant governor, he has talked about the economy, government transparency and the need to win back America one state at a time.

“People said, ‘Why aren’t you running for Congress if that’s your agenda?’ ” he said.

Considering the consultants he’s hired and the monied interests that have backed him in the LG run, it’s not surprising that Scott would take a serious look at SC-01. If he does make a go, however, he’ll have to aggressively step up his fundraising efforts considering he’ll be taking on two scions of South Carolina’s most famous political families.

The race to replace U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett in the Third District claimed one of its first victims on Friday when attorney James Galyean dropped his bid for the seat. Galyean had been special counsel for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and joined Nexsen Pruet last year. He said that he is leaving the race because of an unexplained severe chest pain that started in mid-December.

Last Friday, I met with my doctor who advised that, after discussing the myriad demands on my time as a father of three with a full-time legal practice and a congressional race, I should view this as a “wake up call.” Based on that discussion, and after much thought and prayer, I determined that it would be in my best interests to reduce my commitments. I do not want to ignore this advice and end up in a very serious condition in a few years. Moreover, as a husband and a father, it would not be responsible for me to not safeguard my family’s future as much as possible.

So, today, I regrettably announce that I am withdrawing from the race for the 3rd Congressional District.

This has been a very difficult decision. While campaigning for office is extremely challenging, I have greatly enjoyed traveling the district and meeting new friends in every county. I was very much looking forward to the rest of the campaign and the chance to serve. I am appalled at what is being done to our country by the current leadership in Washington. I am committed to fighting the radical agenda and irresponsible spending of President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Senator Reid however possible. I just cannot continue to do so as a candidate for Congress.

His decision still leaves the Republican primary field as a crowded affair. Running for the GOP nomination are Sen. Shane Massey, Rep. Jeff Duncan, Rep. Rex Rice, Richard Cash, Mike Vasovski and Neal Collins.