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Gaffney attorney to seek nomination for governor
“I’ve been considering this for a year,” the Democrat said. “After Sharon (his wife) and I watched the State of the State address, the decision was made. She said ‘Go get ‘em.’” Holland, 71, who served eight years in Congress (1975-83), said he received a “pretty good” reception from state legislators during a visit to Columbia last week. He has also discussed his decision to run with prominent Democrats around the state, including former U.S. Senator and S.C. Governor Ernest ‘Fritz’ Hollings. “Fritz was real encouraging,” Holland said. “I spent a lot of time with him last week at Myrtle Beach where he was being inducted into the S.C. Hall of Fame.” With his campaign still a week from officially opening, Holland said fundraising is already in progress. “I will try to raise most of it in South Carolina. I think that fella (Gov. Mark Sanford) in Columbia now gets a lot of his from out of state and has a lot in his war chest,” Holland said. “It takes a great deal of money these days to run a campaign, but we’ll spend only what we raise. We won’t go into debt.” An official announcement is scheduled for 10 a.m., Feb. 14, at the Cherokee County Courthouse. Holland says there are plenty of large and small reasons to take on Sanford. For instance, he cited a veto of a bill that would let Spartanburg Technical College change its name to Spartanburg Community College. Sanford said Monday’s veto was to protect the ‘‘tech’’ branding. Holland wondered why Sanford would wade into such a local issue and noted the governor has what he said are far bigger problems. ‘‘We’re sitting in a state that’s second only to Mississippi in unemployment — and Mississippi had Hurricane Katrina,’’ he said. Sanford has blamed the state’s persistently high jobless rankings — including a 7 percent rate in December — on people seeing opportunity in South Carolina, including those ‘‘loading up a U-haul rental trailer and leaving Michigan.’’ ‘‘Where’s he get the statistical support for such a charge?’’ Holland asked. After watching the Super Bowl this weekend, it appeared there were plenty of people still there, he said. Holland said he will address more specific issues as his campaign progresses. According to The State newspaper, Senate Democratic Leader John Land told Holland he is supporting state Democratic Sen. Tommy Moore of Clearwater for governor. “I don’t know what Ken is up to. It’s kind of strange,” Land said. “The more people in the race, the more interesting it will be.” The other Democrat in the race is Florence Mayor Frank Willis. ‘‘I don’t think it hurts us,’’ Willis spokesman Joe Werner said. ‘‘We welcome him into the race and we look forward to the campaign. We kind of think it’s a way of splitting the insiders in Columbia. ... I think it probably hurts Sen. Moore more than it hurts us.” ‘‘I don’t see it as a detriment to our campaign at all,’’ Tim Shock, Moore’s campaign manager said. Voters, he said, will answer two questions in the Democratic primary: ‘‘who can best represent average working families in South Carolina and who can best beat Mark Sanford in November. ... I’m confident that we’ll be the nominee.’’ Candidates for all state government offices may file from March 16 to March 30. The primary is June 13. Holland’s entry shows ‘‘that more folks are just very displeased with Governor Sanford’s job performance and realizing the importance of getting South Carolina back on track,’’ said Lachlan McIntosh, the state Democratic Party’s executive director. Sanford is being challenged for the Republican nomination by Prosperity physician Oscar Lovelace. ‘‘Congressman Holland has an extensive background that he brings to this race and we welcome him to it,’’ Jason Miller, Sanford’s campaign manager, said. Democratic U.S. Rep. John Spratt of York succeeded Holland as the 5th District representative after Holland returned to Gaffney to practice law. It was ‘‘sort of a self-inflicted rest period’’ in Gaffney, he said. While in Congress, Holland served on the House Ways and Means Committee. Former lieutenant governors and Gaffney residents Bob Peeler and Mike Daniel ran unsuccessful campaigns for governor in 2002 and 1986, respectively. (The Associated Press contributed to this report) MEET THE CANDIDATE from Gaffney AGE: 71 EDUCATION: Gaffney High School; University of South Carolina, 1960, BA-Journalism; USC Law School, 1963; J.D. 1973 OCCUPATION: Attorney MILITARY SERVICE: United States Army, S.C. National Guard Honorable Discharge: Sgt. E-5, June 1961 POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: U.S. House of Representatives (D), 1975-1983 FAMILY: Wife Sharon Jones Holland of Greenville; 3 grown children (son Lamar; daughters Amy and Beth); 3 grandchildren PROFESSIONAL: S.C. Highway Commissioner 1972-74; Kershaw County Hospital Board Member; Board of Directors, The Palmetto Bank; Board of Directors, Cherokee County YMCA; Board of Directors, Limestone College; member of numerous clubs, associations and societies CHURCH: Limestone Street United Methodist Church |
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