Skelton Responds To Party's Opponent Endorsement

Rep. B.R. Skelton has responded to the Pickens County Republican Party throwing their support behind Ed Harris, Skelton's opponent in the State House District 3 race. 

The county Republican Party announced last week that it would be endorsing Harris over Skelton. 

The committee's statement said that Skelton sought to overturn "the will of the people" by challenging Harris' June 12 primary victory. 

"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."

Harris was removed as the GOP nominee by SC GOP Chairman Chad Connelly. Harris then launched a successful campaign to appear on the ballot as a petition candidate. 

"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."

Skelton said the committee's decision was not a shock to him, alleging that Pickens County Republican Party Chairman Phillip Bowers was working against him.  

“Frankly, I am not surprised in the slightest by the local Party Boss’s continued collusion with my opponent,” Skelton said in a statement. “This kind of corruption and back-room dealing is exactly what I have spent my time in office fighting against.

I would expect nothing less than this from a Party Boss and a disgraced candidate who were not able to prove statements they made in sworn affidavits," Skelton continued. "There’s an old saying about ‘birds of a feather,’ and Mr. Bowers and Mr. Harris are a perfect match.”