Ceips wins in a landslide
Filed Under Caucus, Ceips, Ceips, Top News
The Beaufort Gazzette says Catherine Ceips wins in a landslide. Ceips was running in a special election caused by the appointment of former Senator Scott Richardson as South Carolina’s new Insurance Commissioner. Ceips won yesterday with 78 percent. Welcome to the Senate, Senator Ceips!
Ceips wins in a landslide
Wednesday, June 20 2007
By JEREMY HSIEH
Republican Catherine Ceips’ title in the Statehouse will be “senator from Beaufort” following her win in Tuesday’s special election, in which she beat her two opponents by wide margins, winning 78 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results.
Her opponents, political newcomers Libertarian Greg Graziani of Hilton Head Island and Democrat Terry Thomas of Lady’s Island, received 6 percent and 16 percent of the vote, respectively, with 67 of 70 precincts reporting.
The outcome was no surprise. Senate District 46 has been held by Republicans since 1993 and campaign finance documents showed Ceips had a huge edge over her opponents in fundraising.
After a special session of the legislature adjourned in Columbia, Ceips arrived at her Bay Street home where her supporters were gathered. The atmosphere was less lively than after the May 1 primary and May 15 primary runoff, in which she defeated three seasoned politicians.
“I’m relieved. Relaxed and relieved. You can never take the voters for granted,” she said. “Now the race is over.”
About 12.8 percent or 9,769 eligible voters cast ballots Tuesday, a lower turnout than in the May 15 runoff, when 16.7 percent voted.
Ceips joins the 46-member Senate with only one other woman, Democrat Linda Short of Chester County. Short said she plans to retire next year.
Questions now turn to who will fill Ceips’ seat in the House. Ceips said she had not given it any thought, but will continue to serve her new constituents, which includes most of southern Beaufort County, and old, which includes part of Sen. Clementa Pinckney’s district on St. Helena Island.
Name recognition and political experience played a role in some voters’ decisions.
Dorothy Hodges of Port Royal, who doesn’t claim membership with a political party, said Ceips won her vote because she was the best qualified candidate of the three.
Venita Shetzer of Port Royal also voted for Ceips and said she didn’t really know the other candidates.
Thomas said he’d be willing to run for office again if the Democratic Party wanted him to and was proud about stepping up in this election.
“I just wanted to give it a go, rather than sitting and complaining about stuff, I wanted to get involved and try to make a difference,” Thomas said.
Graziani could not be reached for comment, but has said winning was not his primary goal. He plans to rebuild a Libertarian Party base in the county.
Ceips fills a seat previously held by Scott Richardson, who resigned in February to become the director of the state Department of Insurance.
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Hey Catherine,
Great seeing you in Beaufort at the Christmas parade. We look forward to all your upcoming work in the Senate this year, we will be supporting you in your upcoming campaign.
Testing the blog for Catherine Ceips. Plan to use this to communicate with her.