Latest news with #Kimbrell
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
SC Attorney General Alan Wilson kicks off bid for governor. 5 things to know
Attorney General Alan Wilson launched his bid Monday for the Republican nomination for governor, as the state's top prosecutor looks to become the state's top executive. 'Today is a pivotal moment for our state,' Wilson said in his remarks. 'The future of South Carolina depends on leadership that is battle-tested and committed to conservative values.' Wilson is the second of the top potential Republican candidates to formally jump into the race, following state Sen. Josh Kimbrell's announcement, for the GOP nomination to succeed Gov. Henry McMaster, who can't run for reelection in 2026. Wilson is South Carolina's attorney general. He was first elected in 2010. His adoptive father is U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson who adopted Alan Wilson when he was four years old. Joe Wilson had married Alan's mother Roxanne. Alan Wilson's biological father Michael McCrory died in a military helicopter training accident when Alan was two-years-old. Alan Wilson has served in the Army National Guard for nearly 30 years, which includes a combat tour in Iraq. He has the rank of colonel. He is currently paid $208,000 a year to be the state's top prosecutor. He is now seeking a job that pays $106,000 a year, but comes with a mansion in Columbia. Wilson, 51, and his wife, Jennifer, have two children. He has good name recognition in the state and moving to the governor's office is a natural step. A Winthrop University Poll found 44% of Republican voters were familiar with him. Wilson is in his fourth term as attorney general. Being attorney general gives him a bully pulpit to weigh in on national issues from time to time. 'The attorney general really is somebody who's exposed to and has a built-in understanding of a whole host of host of issues affecting the state,' said Alex Stroman, the former executive director of the South Carolina Republican Party, who doesn't plan to work for any campaign this cycle. He also has the experience of running a state agency and his office serves as the state's top prosecutor. 'It makes sense for Alan Wilson to jump into the governor's race because it is an open race, and like every attorney general, he has secured executive experience, had the chance to prosecute criminals and partner with the administration on public safety issues that people care about,' said Rob Godfrey, a longtime Republican operative in South Carolina, who also won't work for any candidate this cycle. Wilson backed Trump's 2024 reelection bid ahead of the South Carolina Republican presidential primary. The president's campaign rolled out Wilson's endorsement in September 2023 ahead of Trump's visit to Summerville. Wilson also traveled to New Hampshire before the Granite State's primary and spoke at a news conference about immigration policy touting Trump's work and criticizing Biden. During the Biden administration Wilson repeatedly challenged the administration by joining lawsuits to stop administration initiatives. Wilson also traveled to New York during Trump's hush money trial to speak out against the charges. 'I proudly sat behind President Trump in the courthouse during his trial, and I fought with him every way that I knew how to,' Wilson said. 'He's had our back, and I've got his.' He also is defending the president's use of the national guard in response to ongoing anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. He has a fundraising base he can turn to for this race. Wilson reported more than $528,000 cash on hand in his last ethics filing. However, how much of that amount can be transferred to a new account has yet to be determined. He's also a name voters are used to seeing in the last four midterm elections. 'That muscle memory for voters is something that he has that I think is a real strong benefit, combined with his ability to fund raise and his outspokenness on issues of national concern, whether it be border security, immigration, boys in girls sports or transgender issues, he's really articulated a vision for that, in addition to the criminal prosecutions that his office has successfully handled, including high-profile cases,' Stroman said. As attorney general, his office sends out news releases showing efforts to defend conservative policies and Trump initiatives. Although news releases out of the attorney general's office will most likely not encourage people to back Wilson's campaign, they will have the secondary affect of promoting Wilson. 'He has a record of statewide service about which I'm sure we'll hear in the weeks and months and year ahead,' Godfrey said. Wilson has been repeatedly been hit by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who also is considering a run the GOP nomination for governor, over whether he is effective as an attorney general in defending women and children, and how well Wilson has fought against illegal immigration. Wilson may have a strong record, but Mace has sought to turn a potential strength into a weakness for the attorney general. He may also have to answer criticisms after being linked to the investigations into political consultant Richard Quinn Sr. A state grand jury report, which was released several weeks before the 2018 election, said Wilson impeded the investigation into Quinn. Still, voters reelected Wilson in 2018 and he was never charged with any wrongdoing. The Quinn investigation contributed to Wilson having his only true challenging reelection campaign in 2018 as he was forced into a runoff for the GOP nomination. His other reelection bids have been relatively easy. 'When you jump in the fray of a competitive primary things are a bit more spirited, and your record comes into closer focus for voters than it may have before,' Godfrey said. 'The stakes are a bit higher and so that means you're going to have to do a lot more work than you did in some of your prior races.' Some elected officials may even joke that 'A.G.' stands for aspiring governor. But history may not be on Wilson's side. The last time South Carolina elected a sitting attorney general directly to the governor's office was in the 1940s. McMaster, who served as attorney general finished third in the 2010 GOP primary, and only became governor after he was elevated from the lieutenant governor's office after Gov. Nikki Haley was appointed to ambassador to the United Nations. Attorneys general may fight initiatives on the federal level if they're from the opposite party, but 'a lot of that doesn't really translate into governor's races,' Stroman said.
Business Journals
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Raleigh weighs traffic impacts of Lenovo Center entertainment district
By submitting your information you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and User Agreement . As plans for the $1 billion Lenovo Center development advance in west Raleigh, state and city officials are working to ensure the area is prepared for heavier traffic. As plans for the $1 billion Lenovo Center development advance in west Raleigh, state and city officials are working to ensure the area is prepared for heavier traffic. This month the Raleigh City Council approved a rezoning request for the 80 acres surrounding the arena to allow for new hotels, restaurants, apartment buildings, office space and parking decks. The Carolina Hurricanes organization, led by owner Tom Dundon, has a bold vision to transform the area into a premier sports and entertainment destination. To support the growth, significant road work is underway and being planned by the North Carolina Department of Transportation — much of it in the pipeline long before the arena development plans took shape. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events Two of the biggest projects are in their final months. NCDOT is lowering the grade of Blue Ridge Road at Hillsborough Street, making it an underpass to avoid the railroad. And it's in the final stages of upgrading the oldest section of Interstate 440 nearby. Both of those projects should be complete by the end of this year or in early 2026, said Becca Gallas, division engineer with NCDOT. expand Rendering of the sports and entertainment district planned around the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Kimley-Horn In the future, NCDOT is planning improvements along Wade Avenue, likely additional lanes to enhance capacity. NCDOT is working with the developers of the entertainment district on a traffic impact analysis that can further 'inform what congestion might look like in that area and how do we appropriately plan for it,' Gallas said. Bradley Kimbrell, strategy and development administrator for transportation for the City of Raleigh, said the city's role is in ensuring safe public access. That likely means bicycle and pedestrian improvements in the area of the planned development. Kimbrell said there's a larger vision in play and that the city will work to make sure it is respected in the process, whether it's about the bike corridor running along the site plan or nearby greenways. 'It is an open dialogue,' Kimbrell said. That dialogue has already resulted in some changes. The rezoning application for the site initially came before council April 2 but concerns over pedestrian safety had Dundon's real estate venture, Pacific Elm Properties of Dallas, revising its plans, reserving space for bike racks and bike shares. The rezoning was approved April 15. Gale Force Sports and Entertainment, the parent company of the Carolina Hurricanes, plans to start work on the project's first phase late this year.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Top GOP figures dominate buzz for SC governor's race. Can others gain traction?
Much of the attention in the campaign before the race for governor officially begins has gone to three top potential contenders, but others are making the rounds in South Carolina and floating their names for the state's top executive position State Sens. Sean Bennett and Josh Kimbrell are considering bids for the governor's mansion and are seeing if they can break through. They're part of the field of several potential contenders considering a run for governor to succeed Gov. Henry McMaster, who cannot run for reelection in 2026. But Bennett and Kimbrell aren't among the biggest names thinking of running in a field that might include Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace and Attorney General Alan Wilson, who have received the most attention as vying for the GOP nomination in a state where Republican voters dominate. Both of the state senators acknowledged a decision on whether to jump into the race may have to come sooner rather than later. 'Anybody that's gonna get into this race, has probably got to do it fairly soon, just because of the way things are playing out, but I haven't built in at a timeline for myself,' Bennett, of Dorchester County, told reporters after speaking to the Richland County Republican Party in February. Kimbrell, of Spartanburg County, said his decision will most likely come after this year's legislative session, which is scheduled to end May 8. He said the race may be shaped by what happens in the State House before lawmakers adjourn for the year. 'I think it's really wise to take time to do the existing job I'm elected to do right now, certainly with an eye on what I'm thinking of doing,' Kimbrell said. U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill, also is considering a run for governor. But he doesn't have a timeline on a decision. 'When the opportunity is there, you have to look at it,' Norman told the S.C. Daily Gazette. Potential hopefuls are visiting county GOP events more than a year before the primary election and before anyone has officially jumped into the race. Kimbrell told the Richland County GOP he's launching an exploratory committee on whether to run for governor and conceded he probably will end up in the race. 'I'm not formally saying it tonight, but I'm very likely going to,' Kimbrell told the Richland County GOP in March. 'Let's just say, when you say you're going to explore for something, means you're probably going to look at doing it. So we are. We're putting together a committee to look at this race. Kimbrell, 40, pitches himself as a fiscal and social conservative, stances he wants to see in the party's nominee. He points to his push to remove books that discuss gender identity written for young people from the children sections of libraries, and his previous push to eliminate the state income tax. And he wants to campaign without nasty personal attacks on other candidates. 'I don't do nasty politics. If somebody takes a swipe, I will respond defending my own position' Kimbrell said. 'People want to hear what affects their life. Nobody wants to hear people drag each each other through the mud.' Bennett can discuss the nuances of tax policy in the state in front of crowds. But whether that excites primary voters is another question. 'I think South Carolina needs a serious leader, because there are serious issues that are facing us, and whoever that person is that ultimately decides to run, I hope the candidate that the people will rally around is going to be the candidate that is ultimately going to be talking about the serious issues and not the just the headline grabbing issues,' Bennett told the Richland County GOP. If either decides to get in, they will have work to do in order to gain traction around the state outside of their Senate districts. A Winthrop University Poll found only 26% of GOP voters were familiar with Kimbrell. 'I don't think that's bad given that I haven't run statewide ever before, and I think for a member of the Senate, this only the second term, who's hasn't spent any money statewide, I feel pretty comfortable with that number,' Kimbrell said. The Winthrop poll did not ask poll respondents if they were familiar with Bennett. The race is still early, and polling data shows there isn't a clear favorite yet to win the GOP nomination. A March poll conducted by First Tuesday Strategies, a firm that works with Republicans, but is not working for any potential candidate for governor, say Kimbrell had 1.8% support. Bennett had 1.2% First Tuesday has polled the race monthly and Wilson's support has been relatively stable. In January he was at 21.7%. In February he was at 20.9%. In March he was at 20.8%. Mace seemed to have more support earlier on as she was first to make a big splash to publicly say she was considering a run for governor. Mace was at 27.4% in January and 32.8% in February. But support for her has fallen in the First Tuesday polling with her at 16.3% in the March poll following accusations she made against four men on the House floor, while also accusing Wilson of not prosecuting the case. Evette's numbers had been relatively steady, with 11.6% support in January and 12.5% in February before seeing the drop to 6.9% support in March. Norman was at 6.9% support in March. It's a long time until June 2026 and most people are probably not thinking about who they may vote for in the governor's race, as First Tuesday's March poll had 46% of the GOP electorate remains undecided. But we're starting to see some public support declared among politically active folks. A superPAC has already formed encouraging Evette to run and a group of local political leaders from around the state have signed onto a letter calling on the lieutenant governor to jump into the race. Evette has said she is seriously considering a run. Among the more than 50 names to sign onto the letter are former SC Republican State Party Chairwoman Karen Floyd, Tracy Redfearn who is involved in Republican Party politics in Darlington County, and Michelle Visconti, who chairs the Horry County Conservative Alliance. 'We need leaders who are going to work hand-in-hand with President Trump to fight for conservative, common-sense government. Leaders who will put South Carolina first and continue to bring businesses and jobs to our growing state,' the letter read.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
SC senator considering 2026 bid touts his socially conservative cred to GOP primary voters
Potentially gubernatorial candidate Josh Kimbrell shakes the hand of Mike Ward, an Irmo resident, on Monday, March 24, 2025. (Photo by Shaun Chornobroff/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA — A Spartanburg County state senator potentially running for governor cast himself to GOP primary voters as a young, staunchly socially conservative candidate. Sen. Josh Kimbrell of Boiling Springs told more than 60 people Monday night at a Richland County GOP meeting he'll likely enter the 2026 race to replace term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster. However, he said, 'I'm not formally saying it tonight.' The 40-year-old senator, who easily won a second term in November, is the third potential candidate in as many months to speak to the Republican faithful in the state's capital. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace of the coastal 1st District spoke at the local party's meeting in January, followed last month by state Sen. Sean Bennett of Summerville. Beyond a brief bid by former state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel — which he ended four days after announcing — no one has officially entered the governor's race. However, other Republicans highly likely to jump in are Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pam Evette. U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman of the Fifth District is reportedly also weighing a bid. Kimbrell noted the unofficial race has already gotten a 'little nasty.' 'I don't love it when it becomes a personal attack,' he said. Mace has made a habit of taking swipes at both Wilson and Evette — but especially Wilson. A Winthrop Poll released earlier this month indicates why: The attorney general had the highest name recognition, behind only Mace, in a potential six-way field. Mace has yet to mention Kimbrell, who respondents recognized the least among possible contenders. (The Winthrop Poll's questionnaire did not include Bennett.) When asked if he was referring to Mace, Kimbrell said his comment wasn't toward anyone in particular. The Spartanburg County lawmaker rose to prominence as host of the conservative Christian talk show 'Common Cents' on an Upstate radio station. In the Senate, he's led the charge on culture war issues, including fighting for the six-week abortion ban, sponsoring legislation opposed by advocates of LGBTQ South Carolinians, and trying to ban books with sexual content from children's sections in public libraries, which librarians opposed as censorship. (That budget proposal ultimately didn't pass.) Kimbrell's no stranger to a crowded primary. He made his first attempt at elected office in a 13-way GOP race in 2018 to replace Rep. Trey Gowdy, who wasn't seeking re-election to the Fourth District. Kimbrell placed fourth in the race ultimately won by then-state Sen. William Timmons of Greenville. Two years later, Kimbrell ousted state Sen. Glenn Reese, a Democrat who managed to hang on to the seat for three decades as the Upstate district became ruby red. In November, Kimbrell easily defeated a Democrat challenger. Unlike in 2018, now he has a track record to run on, Kimbrell said. 'It's one thing to run for office, having never held office, saying 'I'm going to do this. I'm going to do this. I'm going to do that.' It's another thing running for office having done something,' he told reporters afterwards. Among the achievements Kimbrell touted was as lead sponsor of the question put on November ballots that asked voters whether a single word should change in the South Carolina constitution to specify that 'only' citizens can vote. His fellow GOP senators touted it as a way to ensure no future court ruling in South Carolina allowed noncitizens to vote in local elections, even as they acknowledged no school board or town council in the Palmetto State was trying to do so. The referendum passed with 86% of the vote, though the Legislature has yet to ratify the change. Kimbrell argued the subtle wording change from 'every' to 'only a' citizen will further protect the ballot from noncitizens. 'We're not only not a sanctuary state, but we can't even let these folks vote in a school board election, which is a good thing,' he told the Richland County GOP. Kimbrell fielded a pair of questions surrounding education. When asked by a teacher in Richland 2 School District in suburban Columbia how he plans to help public education, he said he's supported raising teacher salaries as well as providing parents more educational choices with state aid for private tuition. Noting his own children are in public schools, Kimbrell said South Carolina's K-12 schools need to be 'smarter' in how they spend money. He characterized administrative jobs at his local high school as 'fluff positions.' 'We literally had teachers pay for pencils out of their pocket,' he said, while calling the multiple, higher-paid assistant principals unnecessary. As Kimbrell spoke, somebody from the crowd yelled 'we need DOGE,' a reference to the Department of Government Efficiency spearheaded by Elon Musk that seeks to slash federal spending. Kimbrell, one of the sponsors of a Senate resolution to create a South Carolina version of the initiative, let out a chuckle as he said, 'I don't disagree.'
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SC Bill could Affect Vaping Regulations
Columbia S.C. (WSPA) – A new bill would, if passed, force businesses that sell vaping products to have guidelines and regulations about what can be sold. 'I'm the parent of two middle schoolers, and I can tell you that the prevalence of this kind of product, in middle schools is more than you want to know. It's kind of scary how much this stuff is in middle schools,' Sen. Josh Kimbrell (R – District 11). The bill would require the Attorney Generals' Office to ensure electronic nicotine delivery system products sold in South Carolina are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Attorney General would need to be notified if there are ingredient changes in the devices. 'We got to do something now… We got to stop it right now, because a lot of these products are Chinese products that are coming in, in addition… some of them have marijuana in them, ' said Sen. Billy Garrett (R – District 10). Kimbrell said he supports the bill but recommends an amendment, so South Carolina businesses wouldn't have to go through a long FDA approval. 'My only suggestion would be, let's leave the FDA registry requirement there and find a way to provide provisional, a provisional way for folks operating in our state's borders who are pending that approval not to be shut down,' Kimbrell said. Attorney General Alan Wilson's office said they are not against having a task force but would not be able to take part on that project. 'It's going to cost a lot of money to get that done,' Garrett said. Democratic Senator Russell Ott (D- District 26) said businesses he's spoken with want regulations so they know what rules to follow. 'At the very minimum, I think just having a standardized process by which we say that we we're going to allow for these, but we're not going to allow for those that signals to our retailers what is okay and what's not.' Lawmakers said the state oversight will help regulate products coming from outside the U.S. Lawmakers said the main goal of this bill is to protect children from using nicotine products. Currently in South Carolina it is illegal for a person under the age of 18 to vape. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
