Chad Connelly to Seek Re-Election as SCGOP Chair

In an email message on Tuesday, Chad Connelly announced he will seek re-election as Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party. In his message, Connelly notes the numerous challenges the SCGOP in the past two years. Here it is in full:

Two years ago, I entered the race for Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party with a promise to bring leadership and vision to our battle for the heart and the soul of the Republican Party.

As I traveled to every county in the state, I met with so many party leaders and grassroots activists like you who spend your time, money, and energy to make our state and country a better place.

Over the past two years, we recommitted to our party, our platform, and our purpose. We maintained our First in the South Presidential Primary status, hosted two of the largest, nationally-televised debates of the entire presidential primary season - one on Fox News Channel and one on C.B.S. The C.B.S. debate at Wofford College was the first national network television debate in S.C. history! Republican turnout for our January 21, 2012 Presidential Preference primary was over 607,000 voters in horrible weather - the largest turnout in the history of our state.

Together, we built donor confidence in the party, and raised over three million dollars - more than twice as much as the Democrats. We reduced overhead costs, held cheaper, more efficient meetings, and expanded our party headquarters to include a 2012 VICTORY office and conference room.

Most importantly, we’ve had great success at the ballot box. On November 6, we elected Republican Tom Rice to the new 7th Congressional District, added one Republican State Senate seat, replaced one senator who was a continual embarrassment to our party, and added two Republican State House seats.

Our staff, party leaders, and over 1,400 volunteers and activists in the Palmetto Patriots program played a major role in each of those victories. They poured their hearts and souls into hundreds of thousands of direct mail pieces, phone calls, door knocks, and donations.

There were bumps along the way, and we will likely face more challenges in the coming years. Yet I am confident that we will meet and overcome every future challenge with the same sense of purpose and accomplishment that we met the last. That is why I am running for re-election as your Chairman. Together, we can build an even strong Republican Party in South Carolina!

I am humbled that so many of you have reached out to me and encouraged me to seek re-election. I am honored that over 95 members of our State Executive Committee have publicly pledged their support and encouraged me to seek a second term.

I believe we need a resurgence of leadership on our platform principles: our Conservative message remains true. We can win the hearts and minds of Americans by staying true to our words. Join me in that effort, today.

Dana, the kids, and I thank you for your support, encouragement, prayers, and commitment to our party. I refuse to let you down and look forward to sharing my positive vision for our party with you in the coming months.

See you soon!

Chad Connelly

Chairman, South Carolina Republican Party

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