Politics & Government

Sullivan Gets Six Endorsements Ahead Of Feb. 5 Run-Off

Six Republican legislators throw their weight behind Chris Sullivan.

A group of six Upstate legislators announced Tuesday their endorsement of Chris Sullivan as the best choice in the special election for the district 17 seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives. 

Sullivan finished second in the Jan. 22 to Mike Burns, who received nearly half of the vote in a field of five. 

The six legislators, all Republicans, include three members of the Senate’s "William Wallace Caucus."

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The group includes Representatives Eric Bedingfield, Tommy Stringer and Bill Chumley, and Senators Danny Verdin, Kevin Bryant, and Lee Bright.

All are members of the Greenville Legislative Delegation with the exception of Bryant, who represents Anderson. 

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The group jointly issued the following statement: 

"We are honored to endorse Chris Sullivan for S.C. House District 17. 

As reform-minded conservative legislators, we understand that we face perilous times in our state and in our country. Now, more than ever, we must have legislators in Columbia who not only understand the issues, but have the skill to guide legislation into law, starting on their first day in office. Chris has the skills to quickly bring intelligent, conservative reform to Columbia. 

A candidate who merely states that he is pro-gun, pro-life or fiscally responsible without offering concrete proof is not sufficient. Voters deserve more than unsubstantiated promises. 

Chris has promoted conservative reforms over many years, we know that he can deliver what he has promised. 

We know that Chris will defend the unborn, because he has actively advanced pro-life legislation for years. He has given us strategic advice as we advanced the pro-life agenda. 

His consistent support of life has earned him endorsements from highly-regarded pro-life activists such as Dr. Oran Smith from Palmetto Family Council and Lenna Neill, who directs the Piedmont Women’s Center, a crisis pregnancy counseling center in Taylors. His commitment to this issue has earned him a “100 percent” rating from the South Carolina Citizens for Life. 

We know that Chris will defend our 2nd Amendment rights because he understands the complex strategy that liberals will use to try to take our guns. He rejects the notion that the 2nd Amendment only protects hunters. Chris believes, as Thomas Jefferson did, that guns are necessary to protect ourselves from tyranny. 

His commitment to protect our gun rights has earned him an “A” rating from the NRA. 

We know that Chris will defend our 10th Amendment rights – not just against ObamaCare, but against the increases in Federal funding that has slowly taken away South Carolina’s independence. He understands that the amount of Federal funds flowing through state agencies is greater than South Carolina’s entire General Fund. He realizes that a third of these Federal funds is borrowed and contributes to our escalating national debt. He will work to reduce and end our dependence upon these funds. 

We know that Chris will defend the needs of small business, because he has worked in small businesses his entire career. For many years, he worked in his family’s retail jewelry store in Greenville before forming his own public relations and consulting business. He understands that small business remains our best hope to create jobs and move our economy forward. 

South Carolina desperately needs reform in our tax structure, in our government and in our educational system. Chris understands that an effective legislator must be able to address all of these issues. We are confident that he can. 

That’s why we strongly endorse Chris Sullivan for S.C. House district 17 

Having run a positive issues-oriented campaign, we also know that he has earned the endorsement of fellow candidate Roy Harmon. 

We know that Chris has outwardly demonstrated his inward Christian integrity through his involvement with Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Brushy Creek Baptist Church and the the Travelers Rest Camp of Gideons International. 

We are taught that a man is known by the company that he keeps. Chris believes the same conservative principles that we believe. For these reasons, we stand with Chris Sullivan for S.C. House district 17, as we are all committed to protecting and improving South Carolina. 


Rep. Eric Bedingfield - Greenville Co. 

Rep. Bill Chumley - Greenville & Spartanburg Co. 

Rep. Tommy Stringer - Greenville Co.

Sen. Lee Bright - Greenville & Spartanburg Co. 

Sen. Kevin Bryant - Anderson Co. 

Sen. Danny Verdin - Greenville & Laurens Co."

It is the second major endorsement announcement for Sullivan in 48 hours, as Roy Harmon, who finished third behind Burns and Sullivan, already endorsed Sullivan. 


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