We’ve found ourselves perplexed over the recent months regarding the interesting political flexing going on by Steve Benjamin’s campaign for mayor of Columbia. The man ran as the Democratic nominee for attorney general in 2002, and counts among his strongest supporters top Midlands Democrats. And yet, it’s not a cut-and-dry situation.
Benjamin hired the local political consulting firm Richard Quinn and Associated to run his campaign. This is the same firm who ran Atty. Gen. Henry McMaster’s race against Benjamin in 2002, and is running McMaster’s gubernatorial campaign. Naturally, that’s giving Benjamin a free pass on RQ&A’s in-house blog, The Palmetto Scoop. Really — Wheels McGee has been at every Benjamin event we’ve ever attended, which is a tad odd for a GOP political consultant and blogger.
In the meantime, he’s also hired several people who were a part of President Barack Obama’s campaign during South Carolina’s Democratic presidential primary (Craig Schirmer and Laurin Manning, among others). Early Thursday morning, Benjamin’s campaign announced it would start running a radio ad playing up his Obama connections in the Democratic-leaning capital city.
COLUMBIA, SC – Steve Benjamin’s Mayoral Campaign broke onto the airwaves this week with a radio ad featuring a 2007 voicemail left by then Senator Barack Obama.
“I’ve saved this voicemail for well over two years now,” Benjamin explains. “It has been a personal inspiration for me because I still believe in what we can do when we work together. I still believe in hope.”
The radio spot, Benjamin’s first, went into rotation this week and can be heard on radio stations all across Columbia and at www.stevebenjamin.com.
This takes an extraordinary amount of hubris, considering that his consultants ran U.S. Sen. John McCain’s Republican presidential primary campaigns in this state not once, but twice. Quinn Sr. was a close, unpaid advisor on McCain’s campaign for president in 2008. Then there’s something else.
Interestingly, the child, who seems fit to consider the majority of Republicans in the General Assembly as socialists, has been slurping Benjamin since the very outset. Baldy ran a line of smack against former Speaker of the House David Wilkins, writing, “Anyway, given how ferociously Wilkins promotes (and protects) his reputation as a “Republican,” we were a bit surprised to see him hosting a fundraiser earlier this week for uber-liberal trial lawyer Steve Morrison, who is running for mayor of Columbia, S.C. on the Leftist Lying Bastard ticket (j/k … it’s a non-partisan election).”
Mind you, he never says things like this about the Quinn firm and its relationship with Benjamin, even while assailing RQ&A when it comes to Innovista. It’s often said that a man is judged by the friends he keeps. Another old bromide is “actions speak louder than words.” Benjamin’s words try to play up his connection to Obama. But his actions in regard to people like the Quinns, Folks and Fogle say so much more.
And at this point, we’ve been totally soured on Benjamin, Morrison and City Councilman Kirkman Finlay III. Somebody put a call in to Aaron Johnson.
Municipal politics can be strange endeavors. Not the least of which in Columbia, where loyalties get all sorts of crossed up. That’s certainly coming to a head this year, as incumbent Mayor Bob Coble has already announced that he will not run for another term. One, if not the main reason, is the momentum of local attorney Steve Benjamin. As early as spring 2009, a number of civically-engaged people we knew in the city were looking at a Benjamin candidacy as the next best move for Columbia.
But after going to a few of Benjamin’s events and seeing Richard Quinn & Associates so involved, it weirded us out. Why would a guy, a Democrat, sign up with a GOP consulting firm to win an election in a Democratic city? Strange. Crossing the streams, you might say. If it got to the “Ghostbusters” level, Benjamin might be in trouble, but we doubt that. City Councilman Kirkman Finlay III’s disclosure has yet to go up by 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning, but it doesn’t take a genius to say that Benjamin wins this race relatively comfortably, with Finlay in second and Democratic challenger Steve Morrison in third. That’s just the instant analysis from this corner of the city.
Let’s get to the numbers.
STEVE BENJAMIN
Candidate for mayor of Columbia
Contributions: $100,735
Expenditures: $116,656.16
Cash-on-hand: $42,734.89
Significant contributions
Edward Sellers, $1,000
CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina
J.T. McLawhorn, $250
Columbia Urban League
Cynthia Hardy, $100
Public relations executive
Steven Mungo, $200
The Mungo Companies
Frank Knapp, $100
Public relations
Cromartie Law Firm, $125
Law firm of Columbia city councilman E.W. Cromartie
Boyd Brown, $200
State representative
Luther Battiste, $100, $200
Former Columbia city councilman
James Smith, $750
State representative
Pete Strom, $1,000
Attorney
Boyd Summers, $250, $100
Richland County Democratic Party chairman
Jack Van Loan, $100
Five Points Association
Jim Hodges, $1,000
Former governor
Zeke Stokes, $100
Consultant
Charles Way, $500
Former secretary of commerce
Lourie Law Firm, $500
Law firm of Sen. Joel Lourie
Significant expenditures
Banco Bannister (consulting), $2,500×2
WideEye Creative (Web design and construction), $4,225
New Partners Consulting (consulting), $19,800
Richard Quinn & Associates (consulting), $19,668.38, $304.95
With Columbia’s bad-to-worse budgeting and general financial problems, public safety in the city has received a serious hit. Fortunately, the fire station on Devine Street is back to full operating strength, bringing back an engine that had been shut down by budget cuts in the Spring.
The money isn’t coming from an increase in taxes or fees, though. Funding for the truck and three firefighters is coming directly from the city’s bravest giving up half their paid holidays. Chief Bradley Anderson said in The State, “It definitely will improve services not only in Engine 9’s primary response area, but it improves coverage throughout the city and county because of the fact that all of these stations work together in the system.”
Of course, proper funding of first responders is one of the top issues in the race for mayor.
“It’s bittersweet. I wish council would spend a little more time finding other ways to do it and not do it on the back of firefighters.”
“We’re in a worldwide recession and we’re able to maintain a high standard of public safety without anybody losing their jobs. It would be Cinderella to expect more.”
Columbia mayoral candidate Steve Benjamin is making one of his first major policy stances this week, calling for the city’s first responders to be considered first for funding during the budget process. Over the past couple years, Columbia’s police, fire fighters and paramedics, et. al., have been getting hit hard and the City Council deals with financial mismanagement in city government, added to the hard times everybody is going through.
Recently, a proposal came down to close two fire engines. For those of you in Shandon, that doesn’t look good, since the Devine Street station has one of those slated to be shut down. About $9 million is supposed to be eliminated from public safety funding, as it stands right now.
“Every society’s most basic organizing principle is safety and it has always been understood that the city’s most sacred duty is to protect its citizens. Unfortunately, by neglecting our police and fire services, Council has abandoned that duty. As a result, we are all in harm’s way,” Benjamin said in a statement.
While he doesn’t plan on raising taxes to restore funding, the idea is to do budget-streamlining things like, “eliminating waste, limiting non-essential spending, instituting a hiring freeze, and … the consolidation of several services with Richland County.”
Damn, it seems like everyone and their mom is running for Columbia mayor. The latest entrant is local attorney and Nelson Mullins partner Steve Morrison. It was assumed that he would be battling with front-runner Steve Benjamin for the same votes. That’s now a for-sure assumption.
Per his announcement, Morrison said:
I am announcing today that I will be a candidate in next April’s city election for Mayor of Columbia.
Columbia has been my home since finishing law school here in 1975. I have spent years of my life contributing to our community, the way many people do who want their neighborhood and city to be a good, safe place to raise a family, enjoy life, and earn a living. Gail and Gregory and I have found a special home with you here in Columbia.
That is why we have spent so much of our personal time giving back to Columbia. My service as board chairman of the Columbia Urban League, the Columbia Museum of Art and the presidency of the Historic Columbia Foundation and board service at Benedict College, Allen University, Edventure and the Central Carolina Community Foundation and chairing the United Way Campaign has enabled me to learn about the needs of citizens in all our neighborhoods.
While I have not been involved in traditional politics at the local or state level, I have spent years in public service. I approach the opportunity to serve as Mayor of Columbia from that vantage point, one of public service over politics as usual.
Morrison will find himself in a considerable hole. Most power brokers and grassroots activists in Columbia have already committed to Steve Benjamin, the odds-on favorite to win the race. But, with Morrison in the mix, it will become a lot more interesting.
God forbid, while we consider the Columbia mayoral race, the phrase that keeps popping up for us is the lyric from Stealers Wheel: “Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right….” With Mayor Bob Coble saying that he won’t run again, the race is getting very interesting. Or, at the very least, seems like it will draw a baker’s dozen of candidates by the New Year.
The latest is Sparkle Clark, an environmentalist and photographer that has been involved, off and on, in campaigns both local and statewide. We’re pretty sure we’ve met her at one time or another — probably at some point when we were in high school, but our memory is at times more “Swiss cheese” than Sam Beckett’s in “Quantam Leap.”
Distilling the issues down to a short message, this is how she puts it:
Let us now start a new era for Columbia and realize the dream that we all share.
A community of unity, but uniqueness.
A community of diversity, but oneness.
A community of neighborhoods bridged together with businesses, parks and safe streets encircled in clean air, awash with clean water, and enveloped in an atmosphere of well-being.
Though we’re sure her intentions are sincere, it looks to us at this point that she’s the left version of Joe Azar — someone that’ll pull two-to-three percent, if that, in the race. Regardless, good luck to her, but us cynics over here still see the race as a battle between Steve Benjamin and Kirkman Finlay III.
Per Saturday’s The State, Columbia attorney Steve Morrison is eying a run for mayor, joining the current four-person race, including the heavyweights — attorney Steve Benjamin and City Councilman Kirkman Finlay III. Morrison is a partner in the influential firm of Nelson Mullins.
From the way it looks, if Morrison gets into the race, it wouldn’t be good for Benjamin. According to the story, Morrison is involved with the “minimally-adequate” school funding suit, the Urban League, the Columbia Museum of Art, Historic Columbia, the NAACP, the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council, and on. That pretty much cuts directly into the civic-minded Democratic voting base in the city, which it looked like Benjamin was going to ride to a significant win.
Though Finlay basically gave a throwaway quote, it can only mean good things for him if Benjamin and Morrison have to go toe-to-toe over the same voters and the same contributors, not to mention the endorsement battle for community leaders. Benjamin has the upper hand, it appears to us, because of recognition for his earlier work and his 2002 campaign for attorney general, but the race would become much tougher if Morrison threw his hat in the ring.
As the House and Senate reconvened for the extended session on Tuesday, the politico tweets started back up.
RepAlanClemmons: I’m in Columbia for start of special session. In addition to enabling unemployment comp benefit extension we may have surprises. #sctweets
RepBoydBrown: wrapping up some work, then heading to Columbia for special session
shanemassey: back in Columbia for special legislative session
LtGovAndreBauer: Special session @ noon, staff meeting, and then meeting with SC business leaders.
RepAlanClemmons: Sure works for me! RT @SCREALTORS: @RepAlanClemmons How about Point of Sale reform? That would be a nice surprise!
RepAlanClemmons: Absolutely! RT @Noodles4Nothing: @RepAlanClemmons Plz #help #unemployed workers in #America http://bit.ly/UNQeR
taftmatney: It’s a cold drive to Columbia. I can’t help wondering if we’ll feel a temperature change from any fireworks at the Statehouse today.
stevebenjaminsc: visiting with the General Assembly as they convene to address the issue of Unemployment Benefits
SpeakerHarrell: Headed over to State House to convene the SC House so we can make unemployment benefits fix
SpeakerHarrell: Again, our having to be in session today stresses the need for ESC Reform
johnroconnor: House minority leader Harry Ott asked colleagues to vote against changes to sine die and Eco devo legislation today
EBedingfield: Whips meeting over and I am now in the State House awaiting the drop of the gavel.
johnroconnor: Rep. Ott backs off previous statement, says House Dems will vote for any bill needed to bring jobs to S.C.
henrymcmaster: General Assembly’s emergency session underscores need for new era of cooperative leadership in Columbia http://bit.ly/2QKtY4 #sctweets
AntonJGunn: The House is now in session, “emergency session” that is. I’m ready to help our state. Let’s see who else is ready.
annephutto: Back on the House floor for our emergency session. Getting the unemployment compensation issue resolved — absolutely necessary for SC.
gregfoster_sc: House coming back from break now that unemployment bill set for special order…now the real work begins.
SCHouseGOP: Bill to extend unemployment benefits set for special order. House set to come back into session in 5.. 4.. 3.. 2..
johnroconnor: Text of Rep. Greg Delleney’s Sanford impeachment resolution: http://bit.ly/14RhWX
SCHouseGOP: House Majority Leader Bingham is explaining the unemployment insurance amendment on the floor: http://bit.ly/3tzMmn
AntonJGunn: Amendment to help unemployed workers in South Carolina was adopted 113-0!
SCHouseGOP: The South Carolina House approves the extension of federal unemployment benefits, 113-0.
NathanBallentin: focus so far has been on unemployment and economic developlment. Rep. Greg Delleney to introduce impeachment resolution momentarily
johnroconnor: Rep. Delleney arguing impeachment resolution can be introduced at any time
dphamilton: Historic moment: Rep. Greg Dellaney files impeachment resolution of Gov. Sanford. http://twitpic.com/n5zjg
SCHouseGOP: Glad to see so many members of the press at the back of the chamber while the House debates extending federal unemployment benefits.
annephutto: Unemployment bill was unanimously given second reading. Now we’re onto Delleney’s resolution.
johnroconnor: Rep. McLeod, a Dem, argues resolution violates sine die rules. “Good name of the SC House is at stake.”
alexstroman: Are Democrats really prepared to support not bringing up this Resolution? @johnroconnor
johnroconnor: Rep. Cobb-Hunter (D) argues against allowing impeachment resolution. “it is clear what the rules say…the time for that will come.”
JKuenzie: Gilda: Avoid “kangaroo court” on impeachment issue. Harrell: Rules prohibit introduction of impeachment measure.
RichlandCoDems: hoping that the General Assembly can address the Unemployment Benefits to help the unemployed here in Richland Co. and the state #sctweets
EBedingfield: Speaker rules Rep. Delleney’s impeachment resolution out of order.
mattheusmei: wow Gilda saves the luv Gov from impeachment today
dphamilton: @mattheusmei there was/is no vote…ruled out of order during this special session. He will have to file it later.
mattheusmei: @dphamilton so you’re undecided on how you will vote?
SCHouseGOP: House will return to session at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
PhilBaileySC: http://twitpic.com/n62gn – Sen. Hutto has added the Argentine flag to his Senate desk collection.
SamPJohnson: surprised that the House could actually take care of business today. If this happened earlier this year we wouldn’t be here now #sctweets
HughKLeatherman: We just passed historic legislation for economic development in our state. We will continue to create jobs during these very tough times.
Columbia attorney Steve Benjamin brought in $102,475 for the third quarter according to his latest disclosure report. He also spent $45,735.23, leaving the campaign with $58,655.15. That’s looking pretty good, considering City Councilman Kirkman Finlay III, the assumed biggest opponent in the race, has $35,940 between his mayoral and city council accounts.
BENJAMIN
Notable contributions
Todd Avant, $250
Developer
Darla Moore, $1,000
Businesswoman
Jack Van Loan, $1,000
Five Points Association
Leon Stavrinakis, $250
State representative
E.W. Cromartie, $500
Columbia city councilman
James Smith, $200
State representative
Cameron Runyan, $300
Former Columbia city council candidate
Tony Mizzell, $100
Former Richland County councilman
Elliott Close, $1,000
Former U.S. Senate candidate
Joe Erwin, $1,000
Former S.C. Democratic Party chairman
Jim Hodges, $1,000
Former governor
Notable disbursements
New Partners (consulting), $9,954.55, $3,900, $6,000, $1,498.27
Wired for Change (software), $800, $400
WideEye Creative (Web design and consulting), $1,000
Finlay’s numbers are divvied up between his mayoral and city council accounts.
FINLAY
Notable contributions, mayor
Leighton Lord, $1,000
Attorney general candidate
Notable contributions, city council
Don Tomlin, $1,000
Developer
Pete Strom, $1,000
Attorney
Mungo Homes, $1,000
Home builders
Notable disbursements, mayor
Steven Fooshe & Associates (video shoot), $2,875
Notable disbursements, city council
Steven Fooshe & Associates (office supplies, consulting), $175.94, $2,500, $4,100
Gonzo Promotions (printing, postage, design, fees), $1,138.50, $2,982.54, $8,420.85, $1,244
Severien (Web site design), $1,301.50
Well, that was quick, wasn’t it?
It took mere hours from a story saying Steve Benjamin’s campaign for Columbia mayor was getting its oppo on regarding Councilman Kirkman Finlay III before Finlay announced for mayor. Most assumed he would announce at some point, and that point came Wednesday with a story in The State.
Obviously, Benjamin’s staffers are as smart as they are expected to be, considering the FOIA on Finlay’s activity on the city council. As South Carolina politics are ridiculously interrelated, The first two grand of contributions to Finlay’s campaign came from GOP attorney general candidate Leighton Lord and his wife.
Start your engines, boys and girls. We’re about to have some fun.
