County GOP Endorses Harris Over Skelton

The Pickens County Republican Party is not endorsing the GOP nominee for House District 3, incumbent B.R. Skelton. 

The Pickens County Republican Party endorses Skelton's opponent, Ed Harris,  according to Pickens County Republican Party Executive Committee Member Weldon Clark.

The Executive Committee announced the county party's decision yesterday

On Tuesday September 18, at a regular meeting of the Pickens County Republican Party, a motion was made to officially endorse Mr. Ed Harris for S.C. House District 3.

The motion overwhelmingly passed 29 to 1.

Mr. Harris won the Republican Primary on June 12, but was subsequently sued by the loser, Representative B.R Skelton, "to overturn the will of the voters," the committee said in a statement. 

"Mr. Skelton took a page out of the Democrat playbook- if you can’t win at the ballot box- then go to court," the statement reads.  "Skelton even used a Democrat lawyer who is also a member of the S.C. House."

"Mr. Harris, along with Pickens County Republican Party chairman, Phillip Bowers, both testified that Harris properly filed and a South Carolina circuit judge ruled that Bowers and Harris acted in good faith," the statement continues.  "Nevertheless, Harris was removed from the ballot by the state Republican Party Chairman."

"Harris was able to get over 1700 signatures, nearly twice the amount required, and will be on the general election ballot in November," the statement reads.  "The Pickens County Republican Party believes that, since Mr. Harris was legitimately selected as the GOP nominee, he should receive the full support of the party."