York County Democrats feeling buoyant

The top of their party’s ticket remains unsettled, but Democrats in York County say they feel energized by their prospects this fall. That in itself is news around these parts, because Republicans hold most positions of power and usually take up much of the limelight around election time.

The buzz was evident at the annual Spring Forward fundraiser last Friday, where Democrats chatted around the indoor pool at the White Homestead and candidates gave brief speeches outlining their campaigns.

The night’s final speech was given by the father of York County Democratic politics, Congressman John Spratt.

Earlier, as each candidate spoke, the crowd continued to chatter. When Spratt took the microphone, a hush fell as people stopped and listened.

“A few years ago, we couldn’t have put together a slate of candidates like this,” said Spratt. “That in itself is a strong vital sign, a sign of a party that is coming back.”

Spratt continued, “Every election is a crossroads. This election could be a watershed… when America takes back the promise of its future.”

The reason for this optimism can be summed up in two words: Barack
Obama. Democrats expect their likely nominee to bring thousands of new and nontraditional voters to the polls.

As Spratt pointed out, 125,000 more South Carolinians voted in January’s Democratic presidential primary than in the general election four years earlier. Obama beat Hillary Clinton.

“I could vote for either one of them,” Spratt said. “I’m proud to have the choice.”

Republicans aren’t sitting back and watching. One of their top candidates this cycle is Indian Land’s Mick Mulvaney, whose campaign kickoff for the state Senate drew Gov. Mark Sanford and other party luminaries to Fort Mill. The Republicans are also looking for exterminator Tom Hardin to pick up Roy Blake’s seat on the County Council. If that happens, the GOP would occupy all seven seats because Blake is the only Democrat.

Mulvaney’s opponent is Mandy Powers Norrell, who is playing up her family’s deep roots in Lancaster: “My family has lived here for 270 years and I intend for them to live here 270 more.”

You heard it here first: The Mulvaney/Norrell race will be a real barn-burner. Both candidates have raised upwards of $25,000 and are running extremely vigorous campaigns. Both are young and charismatic.

As for the Democrats, Obama might have a trickle-down effect on local races, but Spratt said the impact could also work from the bottom-up.

“What’s the magic word? Turnout,” he said. “If you can get your people out for your races, you can help (other) people on the ticket. And that’s the way we can take back our country. Having been on top for two years now, it makes a big difference to us.”

Spratt reminded listeners that he has an opponent this year. What he didn’t say is that Albert Spencer is considered a longshot, someone who entered after no one else did.

Others took their turns at the podium, and a few took shots at their Democratic opponents.

State Senate candidate Creighton Coleman sent murmurs through the crowd when he delivered this broadside against Leah Moody: “It would be a shame to send a rookie when a veteran can go down there and do what we need to get done.”

Coleman and Moody are running for the Senate seat held by the retiring Linda Short. What made Coleman’s remark interesting is that Moody was standing a few feet away when he said it. She was clearly less than pleased.

“I know something about the state House,” she said throughout her speech, mentioning her mom Bessie’s long service in the legislature and her experience as deputy counsel under Gov. Jim Hodges.

York County Council incumbent Roy Blake showed up a half-hour after his turn. He wasn’t there when opponents Gwendolyn Conner and Bump Roddey each gave speeches outlining their backgrounds and intentions.

More than any other candidate, Eddie Lee is running on the “We need to end the dysfunction” platform in his County Council run.

“The County Council has lost its way and it cannot lead us forward,” Lee said. “Too little accountability. Three words: Pennies for Progress. We can do better.”

If Lee winds up winning in November, you have to wonder how he will be able to work with the council members he has so roundly criticized during his campaign. Then again, given the change mantra that seems to be dominating this cycle, who knows how many of them will be left?