Battle Brewing in Senate 12

By virtue of political boundary shenanigans, a dim bulb like Lee Bright (by law, all media is required to make a lighting comment when talking about Bright), gets to represents one of the most upwardly mobile parts of Greenville County. And by represent, we mean never showing up here, being a political embarrassment and general staying in power because he has a Spartanburg base, and Spartanburg people would vote Hitler over Jesus if Adolph was from Spartanburg and Christ lived in Greenville.

Yet, hope springs eternal and there is a battle of sorts brewing to remove the less-than esteemed state Senator from office in District 12 as three candidates have filed to take him on the in Republican Primary this June.

Let’s meet them:

First the Greenville guy, David McCraw. If that name sounds familiar, it is because he just roasted Bright over the whole transgender bathroom thing. It may also be familiar because the Greer businessman announced his plans last summer. It may also be familiar because he was one of the main movers and shakers behind getting Sunday alcohol sales in Greenville County passed. McCraw has been busy as well on the finance side having raised almost $50,000, according to his state ethics filings. He has a little less than $20,000 on hand. While a lot of his contributions are coming from the Greer area, he has picked up a $1,000 check from Spartanburg’s Gibbs International.

Next we have Lisa Scott, Duncan’s mayor. She was elected mayor in December 2013 after serving on the town council for two-and-a-half years. Scott is a 1981 graduate of Byrnes High School. She earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from Clemson University in 1985 and a master's in social work from the University of South Carolina in 1987. Scott, a Republican, runs Lisa C. Scott Properties, which manages rental properties, according to the Spartanburg Herald Journal.

She has raised about $64,000 for her campaign and has about $58,000 on hand.

And then there is former State Rep. Scott Talley, who thanks to years in the political limelight has raised around $148,000 and has about $129,000 to spend. A Spartanburg attorney, he may have the best shot from a financial standpoint that puts him ahead of Bright, who has about $114,000 after raising almost $152,000 for the campaign. One very interesting donation to Bright’s campaign is $5,000 from the Senate Republican Caucus.

So what happens. There will be a run-off. If Bright faces Talley or Scott, he will definitely lose. McCraw will be a tough run-off opponent, but it will be tough for him to win because he is Greenville and not Spartanburg.

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