On March 24 Karen Smith of Dorchester, S.C. filed to run in the Democratic primary against 6th District incumbent Rep. Jim Clyburn. That same day I was contacted by folks who asked about her, since Smith listed a residential address in my county, where I’m PR rep for the local Democratic Party.
I couldn’t answer any questions, though. I never even heard of her before.
Glancing through public records, I learned that Smith voted in every Republican primary since 1996. Since I’m the one who gets press calls for the local party, I contacted her directly, and she told me upfront with no prodding that she’s not a Democrat. In fact, Smith’s “only in allegiance with God,” she said. Her home address is just a half-block off a major traffic route in my community, so I made a quick turn one day to see a “Don’t Tread On Me” sign on her door and “FairTax” stickers on her mailbox. Smith also told another reporter that she was Tea Party.
And in the 2nd Congressional District, Phil Black hopes to challenge incumbent Rep. Joe "you lie" Wilson for the third time, but for the first time as a Democrat; in 2010 and 2012, he ran for the same office as a Republican.
So why, let alone how, would these two run for office as Democrats?
The reason is simple, unfortunately. Smith and Black can do it in the same way Alvin Greene did in 2010. And Bob Conley in 2008. Don’t forget Benjamin Hunt in 1990, and you can toss in Ben Frasier for almost every election year from 1972 through 2013, too.
And for 2014, it appears that Black and Smith are joined by another (apparently) fake Democrat, Jay Stamper, who’s seeking party nomination for the seat currently held by Sen. Lindsey Graham. But at least Smith and Black are open about it.
Read More
