Grooms Adds More Endorsements to SC1 Campaign

On Tuesday afternoon, a group of 12 current and former Lowcountry officeholders endorsed the candidacy of Larry Grooms in the First Congressional District race.

The following people endorsed Larry Grooms:

• Keith Summey - Mayor City of North Charleston
• Bill Peagler - Mayor Town of Moncks Corner
• Rembert Wrenn - Mayor Town of Bonneau
• Wayne DeWitt - Berkeley County Sheriff
• Elliot Summey - Vice Chairman of Charleston County Council
• Dennis Fish - Vice Chairman of Berkeley County Council
• Cathy Davis - Berkeley County Councilwoman
• Jack Schurlknight - Berkeley County Councilman
• Ken Gunn - Berkeley County Councilman
• Larry Hargett - Dorchester County Councilman - Chairman of Berkeley
• Charleston Dorchester Council of Governments
• Richard Rosebrock - Former Dorchester County Councilman

The endorsements of Keith and Elliot Summey are significant for Grooms as he looks to build his base of support beyond his native Berkeley County.

Last week, South Carolina Congressmen Mick Mulvaney and Jeff Duncan endorsed Grooms.

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said, “When Boeing was looking to build their 787 Dreamliner in another state, Larry and three other legislators, rescued the deal and paved the way for the largest economic development project in our state. Larry knows how to get people to work together, a talent greatly needed in Congress.”

Monks Corner Mayor Bill Peagler said Grooms fiscal conservative credentials and his service as a South Carolina State Senator are his reasons for backing Grooms. "I know Larry well. He has walked the walk when it comes to matters related to limited government, liberty and fiscal conservatism more so than any of the other candidates in this race."

Charleston County Council Vice Chairman, Elliot Summey said, “When our port was losing jobs and business to other states, Larry Grooms stepped up to the plate, secured the Maersk contract, and passed the Port Restructuring Act.  This set the course for Charleston to become the fastest growing port in North America.”

Dorchester County Councilman Larry Hargett said, "He received the Taxpayer Champion Award multiple years in a row.  That's the type of leadership we need to send to Washington."

Berkeley County Council Vice Chairman, Dennis Fish said, “When it came to reigning in the state budget, lawmakers shot down Larry's amendment to provide taxpayers some $81 million in income tax relief. He will fight for the taxpayer, even if it means going against members of his own party. Larry's record in the senate illustrates his ability to do what's right, no matter what."

Berkeley County Council member, Cathy Davis said, “We have the opportunity to replace Senator Tim Scott with a proven conservative. Congress needs Larry Grooms and his conservative values now more than ever."

In a prepared statement, Grooms said, "First it was Cong. Mulvaney and Cong. Duncan and now this. It’s clear that with every campaign stop and with every voter I meet, our momentum is growing. This is so exciting. I’m honored to receive the support of so many prominent members of the lowcountry community. It’s truly humbling to know that in a crowded field, these fine people believed in me and my record enough to publicly endorse me – and say such wonderful things.”

All of the officials who endorsed Grooms on Tuesday will also serve on his Lowcountry Leadership Team.

Keep up with all of Patch's coverage of South Carolina politics by following us on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE.