SC GOP says this candidate for Congress doesn’t live in the district, kicks him off ballot
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A candidate hoping to succeed U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-Laurens, isn’t being allowed to run in the Republican primary.
Michael LaPierre, of Traveler’s Rest, filed to run in the 3rd Congressional District. But LaPierre lives in the 4th Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. William Timmons, R-Greenville.
South Carolina Republican Party rules say a person must live in the district where they’re running in order to be nominated. It’s a rule that has been in place since 1989.
That is a more strict standard than the federal rule that requires a person only live in the state they want to represent in order to be a member of Congress.
LaPierre said he is exploring legal action.
“I am an ‘America first’ Republican warrior who believes in the Constitution and the Republican Party primary process where the voters determine who represents them for Congress in District 3 and not party bosses,” LaPierre said.
LaPierre contends the move was political payback by S.C. GOP Chairman Drew McKissick. LaPierre was among three candidates to challenge McKissick in 2021 for the party chairmanship. LaPierre finished third in the race.
The state party declined to comment for this article.
LaPierre also ran for the U.S. Senate in 2020, but finished second in the GOP primary to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.
“The S.C. GOP should not be using rules to ‘effectively’ use a convention-like process where party bosses certify and/or decertify congressional candidates,” LaPierre said. “It is the local counties themselves and we the people who should decide.”
LaPierre was one of 11 people to file for the Duncan’s seat after the seven-term congressman opted not to run for reelection creating the open seat.
Republicans Sheri Biggs, Kevin Bishop, Mark Burns, Franky Franco, Phil Healy, state Rep. Stewart Jones, and Elspeth Snow Murday have also filed to run for the seat.
Democrats Bryon Best and Frances Guldner are seeking the seat.
Alliance Party candidate Mike Bedenbaugh has filed.
The 3rd Congressional District covers all or parts of Abbeville, Anderson, Edgefield, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens and Saluda counties.
The primary election is June 11. If no candidate receives a majority of votes in their party’s primary, a runoff would take place on June 25.
