2009 GOP convo recap, Part 2: Ken Ard campaign drop-in


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Immediately following the convention was a reception hosted by Ken Ard, a recently-announced GOP candidate for Lt. Governor. The place was packed with well-wishers, supporters, and curious Republicans who crossed the street from the convention to meet the candidate and learn a little bit more about him.

We were impressed with the turnout and certainly appreciative for the hospitality shown by Ard and his supporters.

As an aside, we've already heard criticisms that Ard, who currently sits on Florence County Council, would be handicapped in his bid by a lack of legislative experience. To those people, it's worth noting that Bob Peeler, who served in the office from 1995-2002, was elected having held no higher elected office than the Cherokee County School Board. In spite of that, Peeler scored a stunning come-from-behind victory and went on to win re-election handily against a comeback bid by former Lt. Governor (and former legislator) Nick Theodore four years later.

We met Ard and found him likable and thoughtful. He'll make a welcome addition to the field of GOP candidates for this office.

11 Response to "2009 GOP convo recap, Part 2: Ken Ard campaign drop-in"

  1. Anonymous 16/5/09 21:57
    Not to mention Bill Connor has never held office. The GOP is very lucky to have such a great crop of candidates for Lt. Gov., Ralph Norman excluded.
  2. Anonymous 16/5/09 22:18
    Connor has held no office, which means he knows nothing about state government. Anyone who knows anything about the office of Lite Gov will tell you that it's not about the sort of talk show ramblings Connor loves.

    Ard has plenty of governmental experience, and so did Peeler. Not to mention Peeler's brother was one of the senior GOP Senators when Bob took office. That's how Peeler was effective, in spite of claiming to be an "outsider".

    Ard's experience, even if not in Columbia, means he has a clue about what that job is about, and what it's not about.
  3. Anonymous 16/5/09 22:43
    Will somebody tell me what the Lite Gov office is about anyway other than wearing a robe every now and then.
  4. Anonymous 16/5/09 23:15
    Earl you have a few degrees and you attend graduations as a prof now. If wearing a robe is a qualification, maybe we shoyld vote for you?
  5. Anonymous 17/5/09 00:13
    1) Controls Office on Aging
    2) Can preside over the senate at any time and rule legislation out of order, such as the 2 billion in tax increases our current LG has ruled out of order
    3) Can make what they want out of the office, such as working to bring business to SC as has been the case with our current LG as late as last week

    By that logic why would we even have a Vice President either?
  6. Moye Graham 17/5/09 09:58
    Earl that Anonymous guy gets around. I believe Andre Bauer is the best Lite Gov. that I have ever known for the state of SC and whoever will replace him has got a long road to hoe. While it may be one of the jobs no one cares about it is also one that from time to time has to step up to the Mansion. Andre has done an excellent job with our Seniors and it was something he took on. He has ruled a lot of Tax increases out of order. I do wish all of our candidates much success but they will also have to have their own agenda.
  7. Anonymous 17/5/09 11:59
    Earl-what Ken brings to the election is common sense ideas,values and drive. Ken is a product of what makes Florence county great; his parents taught him that hard work and being industrious can take a person as far as they want to go. As Lt. Governor I think we would see Ken work to not just bring jobs but the chance for economic advancement not just for the Pee Dee (which needs it the most) but across this state. My mother was from lower Florence and I have known Ken and his family for many years, I fully intend to support him for Lt. Governor and I ask all South Carolinians to support Ken as OUR NEXT LT. Governor...Tom Grimes SC6 District Chairman
  8. somewhere south of I 95 mg 17/5/09 12:53
    The problem Ken is going to have is not that he does not have a lot of experience which may be a good thing. It is that he is percieved as a regional candidate and he has to shed this coat some how. He certainly has hired the right person in Cahaly to do this. He works for the money. Ken better have a lot of it if he plans on winning. He certainly better drop that Pee Dee image. You seen what happend yesterday in Columbia. When his supporters from Florence and the Pee Dee talk about him they better start talking about what he can do for the state and not just we or the guy is toast out of the box.
  9. Anonymous 17/5/09 14:09
    who is this guy someone would have to have no brains to support him
  10. Anonymous 17/5/09 22:06
    The Lt. Governor's ace is going to be about one of two things. Do people want to go for someone stuck on ideas with no record of fixing them or doing anything about them or, Do people want to go for someone with concrete business experience that does not harp on ideology but on the biggest problems facing our state, business. It is obvious what the state needs, concrete answers to real problems. It is great to be pro-life, pro-business, and pro 2nd amendment, but if you do not have jobs but there are a few problems with being an idealist instead of a true reformer. There is one candidate that has business experience and knows how to bring jobs as he has helped bring several huge corporations to areas of our state. There are other candidates that have zero business experience that think they can successfully do this on their first day. Furthermore, without jobs, there is no point in talking about the 2nd amendment because people won't be able to afford a gun ha!

    My whole point is, we can sit all day and talk about the issues, but we have to elect a candidate that actually knows how to solve them and has a record of solving them. These are serious times.
  11. Anonymous 18/5/09 19:25
    so is this dude in the concrete business

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