STATEHOUSE REPORT | ISSUE 21.36 | SEPT. 9, 2022
BIG STORY: Poll shows Cunningham is in striking distance in gov’s race
NEWS BRIEFS: State Senate fiddles with abortion ban
LOWCOUNTRY, Ariail: Taking its toll
COMMENTARY, Brack: Get outside of your comfort zone and read a banned book
SPOTLIGHT: Conservation Voters of South Carolina
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
MYSTERY PHOTO: Rusty metal
Cunningham in striking distance in gov’s race, poll says
By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | It’s less than nine weeks to election day and former Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham is close enough to be able to beat incumbent GOP Gov. Henry McMaster in November, according to new internal poll results.
“Incumbent Governor McMaster has less than 50% of the vote and leads by just 7 points against Cunningham (42% Cunningham, 49% McMaster, 4% [Libertarian Morgan Bruce] Reeves),” according to a poll by Impact Research for the Cunningham campaign. “Interestingly, this is a similar margin to the one Cunningham initially faced against Katie Arrington in the 2018 congressional polling.”
But the numbers are closer once those who were polled learned more about Cunningham. When likely voters heard what the pollsters called “balanced positive information about each candidate,” Cunningham narrowed the gap to 3 points,” according to a memo that said the Charleston Democrat was “within striking distance” of McMaster. It added Cunningham led among voters who “know both candidates today.”
The poll, taken Aug. 24 to Aug. 30 among 700 likely 2022 general election voters, had a margin of error of 3.7% at the 95% confidence level. Among Impact Research’s other clients: President Joe Biden.
“Clear path to victory”
Cunningham strategist Tyler Jones told the City Paper that the parallel to Cunningham’s 2018 upset victory over Arrington is revealing.
“He went on to pull off the biggest upset of the entire [2018] midterm cycle and flip a district that hadn’t voted for a Democrat in 40 years,” Jones said. “Today, Joe begins the race for governor even closer with a clear path to victory.”
But polling hypotheticals are made in something of a political vacuum as the numbers generally don’t reflect real-life negatives, such as a recent attack ad started by the McMaster campaign to satirize Cunningham as a policy fraternity boy.
College of Charleston political science professor Gibbs Knotts, however, said the new poll, even though conducted by a Democratic polling firm, showed encouraging signs for Cunningham’s campaign.
“It was a particularly good sign for Cunningham that he is leading among women and independent voters,” Knotts said. According to the poll, Cunningham led women by a 50-41 percentage margin and led among independent voters by a 39-28 percentage margin.
With the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision and ongoing debates about abortion access in the state legislature, women in particular will be a decisive factor in this race,” Knotts said. “Cunningham will certainly need to maximize his support with those groups to win in this Republican-dominated state.”
Jones agreed on the importance of the differences between Cunningham, who supports a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, and McMaster on abortion.
“Henry McMaster’s support for a total abortion ban with no exceptions, along with Joe being a uniquely strong candidate with high name ID and crossover appeal, has turned this race on its head,” Jones said. “Our polling shows that if Joe can communicate his message statewide, he can win. Now we know why McMaster went negative in his first TV ad — he’s worried — and he should be.”
According to the poll, women were oversampled (56-44%) as women tend to vote in higher numbers than men. The poll appeared to undersample minority voters with 23% of respondents being Black and 1% being Hispanic. By party, 47% of respondents identified as Republican, 36% as Democrats and 16% as independents.
Competitive nature of race on display
The next two months of the campaign are expected to be tough for both candidates. The competitive nature of the campaign was on display Tuesday in Charleston when McMaster touted an endorsement by the National Federation of Independent Business. But Cunningham’s team fired back that the incumbent was bad for small businesses.
“The facts are clear: Under Henry McMaster’s disastrous record as governor and a career politician, South Carolina has the highest income tax rate in the entire region,” Jones said earlier this week. “Our state is dead last in roads and near dead last in education.
McMaster, however, outlined how his administration has cut income taxes from 7% to 6% – and wants more. He said he views the state’s small businesses as the backbone of the Palmetto State’s economy. Other states shut down businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, but he said South Carolina went in another direction to mostly allow businesses to remain open.
“When the pandemic hit, we kept businesses, just like this one [at Wulbern-Koval Co. on Morrison Drive], open because we knew following the so-called experts in Washington would cost us dearly,” McMaster said at a press conference that had three television cameras filming.
“Working together with small businesses across South Carolina, we have the wind at our back, and we can’t stop now – we have to continue to reduce the cost of doing business here, from cutting taxes to slashing red tape, and that’s exactly what we’ll do as long as I’m governor.”
NFIB State Director Ben Homeyer said McMaster long has had the support of its 4,000 small business members across the state.
“Governor McMaster threaded the needle when it came to South Carolina’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said. “Governor McMaster’s leadership helped protect both lives and livelihoods, and he has kept South Carolina’s economy strong despite global challenges such as inflation and disruptions in the supply chain.”
Jones argued Cunningham is the better leader for the future.
“Joe Cunningham was ranked one of the most independent and effective members of Congress, and received the endorsement of the conservative United States Chamber of Commerce for his strong, pro-business record,” Jones said. “Joe is the only candidate for governor who supports eliminating the state income tax, legalizing marijuana and sports betting and creating tens of thousands of new jobs in the process, and the only candidate who trusts women to make their own health care decisions.
He called McMaster a leader stuck in the past. “Joe Cunningham will be an independent, pro-business governor who will bring South Carolina’s economy out of the past and into the future.”
- Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com
State Senate fiddles with abortion ban
Staff reports | South Carolina senators on Thursday rejected a near total ban on almost all abortions, but Republicans pushed some changes for an existing six-week ban, such as narrowing exceptions for rape and incest from 20 weeks to 12 weeks.
“This bill was passed by men who believe they know best — men who believe they should have full control over women’s bodies and private medical decisions,” said Vicki Ringer, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, late Thursday. “Patients and providers alike are experiencing a lot of confusion and fear as politicians play politics with people’s lives.
“This bill insults South Carolina doctors, questioning their expertise and interfering in best practices, and will only exacerbate an already devastating shortage of doctors in our state. Make no mistake: No matter how many exceptions are written into this dangerous bill, it will cause chaos in the health care system and result in people being denied life-saving care. We’re talking about a fundamental human right, and no amount of amendments make this bill acceptable.”
The upper chamber’s action came after two days of floor debate on a Senate bill that nearly banned all abortions without exceptions. Democrats in the Senate often stood by strategically during debate to let Republicans battle over the bill as a handful of Republicans refused to vote on a bill without exceptions. When GOP leaders realized they weren’t going to break a filibuster by S.C. Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, over the bill’s lack of exceptions, they circled the wagons and modified the state’s existing abortion ban.
South Carolina’s current “fetal heartbeat” ban, which narrowly limits abortion with exceptions for rape and incest after about six weeks, was triggered into law after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federal Roe v. Wade protections in June. That measure, however, has been suspended by a state judge’s injunction pending settlement of a lawsuit.
The revamped Senate bill with narrower exceptions passed Thursday now returns to the House, which last week passed a near total ban with exceptions for rape and incest.
In other headlines:
Matthews urged to resign after leaked recording. The state Republican Party and some S.C. Democrats want S.C. Rep. Krystle Matthews to resign as the Democratic candidate challenging GOP U.S. Sen. Tim Scott after a recording of what it says is racially-charged rhetoric.
Former Commerce, business leader Charlie Way passes. Former South Carolina Commerce Secretary and businessman Charles S. Way of Charleston has passed away at 84. His philanthropic and civic endeavors across the state have left a large impact with many business owners, schools and politicians.
Students across state show post-pandemic disruptions in learning. Results from SC READY and SCPASS test scores have come back, revealing that many students across the state continue to struggle. Test scores in English and Language Arts have shown an increase, but scores in math, science and social studies fields have decreased. Meanwhile, test scores in Charleston County have seen a small rebound in scores, showing recent improvements among students in the area.
Firing squad, electric chair are unconstitutional for executions, judge rules. Using a firing squad or electric chair for executions in South Carolina is unconstitutional, Circuit Judge Jocelyn Newman ruled Tuesday in a case brought by four death row inmates. The case is likely to be appealed by the state quickly. The judge wrote, “In 2021, South Carolina turned back the clock and became the only state in the country in which a person may be forced into the electric chair if he refuses to elect how he will die. In doing so, the General Assembly ignored advances in scientific research and evolving standards of humanity and decency.”
Covid update. State health officials reported 12,335 new cases of Covid-19 between Aug. 28-Sept. 3. As of Sept. 7, there were 516 people who were hospitalized with Covid, 18 of whom were on ventilators. A week earlier, there were 533 people hospitalized, 27 of whom were on ventilators, state officials said.
S.C. animal shelters need space. South Carolina animal shelters have been facing a need for space over the past several months as many shelters can’t keep up with the intake of animals, reaching what the Charleston Animal Society calls “a breaking point.” Some shelters have resorted to euthanizing animals for space, despite a statewide effort for no kill shelters across the state. In previous coverage, the Charleston Animal Society recently launched a special program to get large dogs adopted because of an influx into its North Charleston shelter.
Taking its toll
Cartoonist Robert Ariail often interprets things a little differently, but always has an interesting take on what’s going on in South Carolina. Love the cartoon? Hate it? What do you think: feedback@statehousereport.com.
Get outside of your comfort zone, read a banned book
By Andy Brack | Too many Americans don’t read. About one in four haven’t read a book in the last year, according to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey.
Not reading causes harm. It disengages people from thoughts, words and deeds. Those who don’t read miss out on lots of new things, entertainment and knowledge. And frankly, they’re probably not continuing to learn.
Reading isn’t always easy or comfortable. But it frequently expands horizons – so much so that people who want you to not question authority or the status quo often want to ban books to keep you from being exposed to fresh ideas, different perspectives and alternatives to how most people live. Just look at the mess going on now across Florida.
Later this month, the book community will recognize Banned Books Week to celebrate our freedom to read. This year’s theme: “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” Take a look the 10 most challenged books from 2021, according to the effort:
- Gender Queer, by Maia Kobabe. Reasons: Banned, challenged and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to have sexually explicit images.
- Lawn Boy, by Jonathan Evison. Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.
- All Boys Aren’t Blue, by George M. Johnson
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and profanity and because it was considered to be sexually explicit. - Out of Darkness, by Ashley Hope Perez. Reasons: Banned, challenged and restricted for depictions of abuse and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.
- The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas. Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity and violence and because it was thought to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda.
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and use of a derogatory term. - Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, by Jesse Andrews. Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and degrading to women.
- The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison. Reasons: Banned and challenged because it depicts child sexual abuse and was considered sexually explicit.
- This Book is Gay, by Juno Dawson. Reasons: Banned, challenged, relocated and restricted for providing sex education and LGBTQIA+ content.
- Beyond Magenta, by Susan Kuklin. Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.
See anything that links these books, like maybe sex? Think there’s a group, maybe a political group, that doesn’t want you to read about subjects that highlight sex or things related to people who may not identify as the majority? Think of anything that banning these kinds of books might cause, like a reverse reaction?
Hint: When narrow-minded ideologues try to ban something from the general population, the kids (and adults) they’re trying to protect figure out a workaround. They may, for example, apply for a free library card from the Brooklyn Public Library so they can read what they want without self-righteous censors trying to control their local libraries.
Lots of incredibly popular books have been banned at one time or another. I, for one, am better off for reading some of them:
- Animal Farm, by George Orwell, teaches about the danger of political indoctrination. Orwell reportedly wrote it to help children understand the dangers of anti-freedom reeducation camps, like ones we have seen in Russia and China.
- Orwell’s 1984 highlights the danger of a society where you’re not allowed the freedom to think or make choices. Isn’t that what democracy is all about?
- To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee’s classic work on racism, makes a lot of people uncomfortable. Good. Perhaps seeing the injustice of a racist system will make them reconsider their behavior, opinions and customs.
So here’s a challenge to non-readers: Read a banned book. Learn about a different perspective. But watch out. It might make you think outside of your comfort zone.
Andy Brack is editor and publisher of Statehouse Report and the Charleston City Paper. Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com.
Conservation Voters of South Carolina
The Conservation Voters of South Carolina is a statewide nonprofit organization that fights for the Palmetto State’s air, water, land and energy through political action. The organization is bipartisan, pragmatic and effective.
Through scorecards and advocacy at the Statehouse, CVSC holds South Carolina legislators accountable for their votes and actions. As a small organization that operates as a nonprofit and has a political action committee, we have a big impact. Learn more today by clicking any of the links below:
- CVSC Legislative Scorecards
- CVSC Issues
- CVSC News
- How to take action with CVSC
Send us your thoughts
Have a comment? Send your letters or comments to: feedback@statehousereport.com. Make sure to provide your contact details (name, hometown and phone number for verification. Letters are limited to 150 words.
Rusty metal
Here’s an interesting work of rusty metal somewhere in South Carolina. Where and what is it? Send your guess – and your name and hometown – to feedback@statehousereport.com.
We had a little glitch with our email system over the last week which may have interfered with delivery of some of your guesses on last week’s mystery. For that, we apologize. The image was an aerial shot of boats in a cove at Lake Keowee in the Upstate. Note: The email mess seems to be fixed (fingers crossed).
Congratulations to those whose messages made it through: Pat Keadle of Wagener; Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas; Jay Altman of Columbia; and George Graf of Palmyra, Va.
Peel shared the shot showing “Party Cove and Falls at the northern end of Lake Keowee near Salem, S.C. This spot is appropriately named as it is a popular spot for people to hang out and ‘party like it’s 1999’, on their boats in the tranquil water in the protected cove and splash about in the rocky falls that feeds into Falls Creek.”
>> Send us a mystery picture. If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!) Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com and mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
- ORDER NOW: Copies are in Lowcountry-area bookstores now, but if you can’t swing by, you can order a copy online today.
- Now available as an e-book!
ABOUT STATEHOUSE REPORT
Statehouse Report, founded in 2001 as a weekly legislative forecast that informs readers about what is going to happen in South Carolina politics and policy, is provided to you at no charge every Friday.
- Editor and publisher: Andy Brack, 843.670.3996
Donate today
We’re proud to offer Statehouse Report for free. For more than a dozen years, we’ve been the go-to place for insightful independent policy and political news and views in the Palmetto State. And we love it as much as you do.
But now, we can use your help. If you’ve been thinking of contributing to Statehouse Report over the years, now would be a great time to contribute as we deal with the crisis. In advance, thank you.
Buy the book
Now you can get a copy of editor and publisher Andy Brack’s We Can Do Better, South Carolina! ($14.99) as a paperback or as a Kindle book ($7.99). . The book of essays offers incisive commentaries by editor and publisher Andy Brack on the American South, the common good, vexing problems for the Palmetto State and interesting South Carolina leaders.
More
- Mailing address: Send inquiries by mail to: P.O. Box 21942, Charleston, SC 29413
- Subscriptions are free: Click to subscribe.
- We hope you’ll keep receiving the great news and information from Statehouse Report, but if you need to unsubscribe, go to the bottom of the weekly email issue and follow the instructions.
- Read our sister publication: Charleston City Paper (every Wednesday in print; Every day online)
- © 2022, Statehouse Report, a publication of City Paper Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!
There is hope for SC in the McM C vote survey. I will stay until Election Day results are known.