GOP leader, Sanford ally beat in primary

[wyethwire]

SCDP Chair Joe Erwin issued the following statement on the defeat of House Republican leader Rick Quinn:

"Mark Sanford's best friend in the legislature just got beat," Erwin said. "Tonight's upset shows that voters are sick of a do-nothing Republican Governor and his do-nothing legislature, and are eager for change."

Quinn's defeat at the hands of political unknown Nathan Ballentine rocked the Republican establishment. In the waning days of the campaign, Quinn advertised heavily on local radio touting his support of Sanford’s legislative agenda.

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[SCantiGOP]

1. I wish it were so

I wish my State Party Chairman was correct ("people are tired of a do-nothing repub gov") but recent polls show Sanford's popularity at possibly historic highs, some polls showing it in the upper 70's. Trashing and clashing with the legislature is very popular in SC. Quinn lost because he lost contact with his district, and his opponent just outworked him. I live in this district, and Ballentine had at least twice as many yard signs as Quinn.
The question for Sanford is going to be how the public reacts when it becomes obvious that he cannot get anything through the republican legislature. They despise him more than any Democrat that has held the office in recent years.