Race to Replace Ford To Be Hotly Contested

The resignation of Sen. Robert Ford amid an ethics investigation brought an end to one of the longest tenures in the senate in a less-than-dignified fashion.

But it also heralds a new era of leaders seeking to represent Senate District 42. The seat takes up large portions of the city of Charleston and leans heavily Democratic. Republicans are unlikely to mount much of a challenge in an attempt to flip the seat into their column.

Multiple sources told Patch that Rep. Wendell Gilliard was in contact with supporters on Friday and is expected to announce his intention to run for Ford's seat in a matter of days.

Also considering a run are Clay Middleton and Marlon Kimpson. But one source said as many as 10 candidates could ultimately run in the special election.

Gilliard has strong union ties in the Lowcountry while Middleton is a former staff member for Rep. Jim Clyburn and also worked on the 2008 Presidential Campaign of Barack Obama.

Kimpson is a highly regarded attorney with the firm Motley Rice.

Of the rumored candidates, one source said, "All three of them are good."

Should Gilliard and Middleton enter the contest, it would set the stage for a rematch of their 2008 race for House District 111, which Gilliard won.

The degree to which Clyburn gets involved could be a predictor as to how the race will go. In the 2008 race Clyburn endorsed Middleton, while Gilliard was supported by Ford.

The filing period for the race will last from June 21 at noon to July 1 at noon. The primary will be held August 13. If no candidate gets a fifty percent plus one majority, a run-off would be held on August 27. 

The special election would be held on Oct. 1

Even if Republicans do not offer a candidate, the primary will still occur.

All told, the price tag for the campaign will cost the state between $35-$78,000, according to Chris Whitmire of the South Carolina Election Commission.

If there is a large absentee vote expected, the county has the option of hiring a part-time worker to count those votes, paid for by county.

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