GOP Opens Filing in Senate 41

Editor's note: This story was updated at 5:11 p.m. to include a statement from Charlston County Republican Party Chair Lin Bennett.

S.C. GOP has announced it will reopen filing for S.C. Senate District 41, which includes much of West Ashley and parts of Summerville, so as to comply with a court order.

A special primary will be held Sept. 18 with the general election to follow Nov. 6.

Filing opens noon Tuesday, Aug. 28, and will close noon Tuesday, Sept. 4. Candidates should contact Joe Bustos, 843-822-6363, to file.

S.C. Senate District 41 has remained in turmoil since the primaries, as candidates were purged from the ballot for allegedly not filing in accordance with S.C. election law. 

The Circuit Court judge, after ruling that Republican candidate Paul Thurmond was deemed ineligible in a suit brought by George Tempel, the former chair of the Charleston County Democratic Party, ordered that since the candidates were never qualified in the first place, a special primary could be held.

by the Democratic Party and the S.C. State Election Commission in an attempt to keep Paul Thurmond out of the GOP's special primary. 

Charleston County Republican Party Chair Lin Bennett issued a statement late Friday praising the S.C. Supreme Court for allowing the party to move forward with a new primary.

"We are excited that the State Supreme Court has allowed Charleston to move forward with opening filing for the Senate District 41 Seat vacated by Lt. Gov. McConnell," Bennett wrote in an email to Patch.com. "It should be the choice of the people to select whomever they feel should represent them in their District and this allows the voters to make that all important choice. We appreciate their consideration and understanding of the importance of moving forward."

According to the GOP's statement, candidates will need to bring the following at the time of filing:

• A full, paper copy of their SEI (Statement of Economic Interests) as completed on-line. (Please fill this out online and bring a printed copy of the statement with you at the time of filing)
• A completed SIC (Statement of Intention of Candidacy)
• A completed candidate pledge form
• A check in the amount of $416 to cover filing fees, payable to Charleston County GOP