JOHN McCAIN 2008, INC. (March 1, 2007)
JOHN McCAIN 2008 - THE EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE  (filed with the FEC to establish on Nov. 16, 2006)
STRAIGHT TALK AMERICA (2006 cycle)
Headquarters: 1600 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC
 

State Director

(Robert) Buzz Jacobs

(starting in this position following July 2007 shakeup) Initially the campaign's Southern regional political director.  Director of immigration security policy on the White House Homeland Security Council.  Graduate of the University of Alabama.
 
 

Senior Advisor

Trey Walker

(announced by the exploratory committee on Jan. 8, 2007 as campaign manager)  Chief executive assistant to Attorney General Henry McMaster, directing communications and governmental affairs, for the past four years.  Lead consultant on McMaster’s 2002 campaign.  Consultant at Richard Quinn & Associates.  National field director for Sen. McCain’s 2000 presidential campaign.  Executive director of the South Carolina Republican Party for almost seven years, 1993-99.
 
 

Communications Director

B.J. Boling

(reported by The Chaser on Jan. 11, 2007 via Hotline On Call)  Project manager at Starboard Communications, a Lexington, SC political marketing firm.  Previously worked closely with the Indiana House Republican Campaign Committee on their direct mail program.
 
 

Consultant

Richard Quinn

Principal of Richard Quinn and Associates, consulting firm based in Columbia.  Lead South Carolina strategist for McCain's 2000 campaign (signed on in Feb. 1999).  Consultant to Sen. Phil Gramm's (R-TX) 1996 campaign in South Carolina.
 

Regional Headquarters
Lowcountry - 1092 Johnnie Dodds Blvd #108, Mt Pleasant

Upstate - 1513 Asheville Highway, Spartanburg   ...grand opening Jan. 2, 2008

Grand Strand - 409 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach
 

later endorsements and support
These are later endorsments.  The McCain campaign built up much of its support in the first part of 2007 and even in 2006 through what was then the PAC (see below).
McCain South Carolina Health Care Coalition Leadership (announced Oct. 17, 2007)
Dr. Kris Crawford, Co-Chair
Rep. Tracy Edge, Co-Chair
Dr. Eddie Floyd, Co-Chair
Dr. Stephen Imbeau, Co-Chair
Dr. Mac Leppard, Co-Chair
Dr. Thomas Rowland, Jr., M.D., Co-Chair
Dr. Larry Ware, Co-Chair

David Barron - (announced Nov. 8, 2007) Chaired Sen. Sam Brownback's SC campaign and was an initial member of Brownback's exploratory committee, announced Dec. 4, 2006.  Barron is president of the International Conservation Caucus and has been active in politics, business and foreign affairs for 30 years.  He was the national chairman of Young Republicans under President Ronald Reagan.

Jim Corbett - (announced Dec. 18, 2007) State director of Sen. Sam Brownback's SC campaign.  An attorney in Columbia. Ran for House District 72 in 1996 and has been active in all major South Carolina statewide general elections since Carroll Campbell's 1986 run for governor.  Corbett was involved with the primary and general election campaigns of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and served as a delegate to the 2000 Republican National Convention and as an alternate delegate to the 2004 convention.  J.D., University of South Carolina, 1988; B.A., University of South Carolina, 1983.
 
Dick Smith, Mayor Pro-Tempore of Aiken (announced Dec. 27, 2008)

State Senator Jake Knotts (announced Jan. 3, 2008)

NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough (announced Jan. 18, 2008)

and newspaper endorsements:
The State   (01/12/08)
Charleston Post and Courier   (01/17/08)
Greenville News   (01/13/08)
Myrtle Beach Sun News   (01/16/08)
Rock Hill Herald   (01/17/08)

Regional Field Representatives

Midlands

Blake Montgomery

Montgomery had been running the SC GOP's Presidential Primary Taskforce.
 

Upstate West

Somer Grasser

Campaign manager on Greenville County Councilman Eric Bedingfield's successful 2006 campaign for the SC House of Representatives (District 26).
 

Upstate East

Vic Bailey

Served as chairman of the South Carolina College Republicans.  Furman University.
 

POLITICAL

Political Director

Chris Allen

(May 2007 reported by the Palmetto Scoop; succeeded Brad Henry, who served as political director from Jan.-May 2007 then left to do consulting as BMH Consulting)  Allen served as field director for Straight Talk America (as reported by Hotline On Call...start July 10, 2006).  He is a "former personal aide to Gov. Mark Sanford."
 
 

Deputy Coalitions Director

Philip Curtis

Left position as deputy political director of the South Carolina Republican Party to join the campaign.
 

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director

B.J. Boling

(reported by The Chaser on Jan. 11, 2007 via Hotline On Call)  Project manager at Starboard Communications, a Lexington, SC political marketing firm.  Previously worked closely with the Indiana House Republican Campaign Committee on their direct mail program.
 
 

Press Secretary

Adam Temple

Left position as deputy communications director to Sen. Jim DeMint, based in Columbia, to join the campaign.
 

FINANCE

Fianance Director

Katherine Haltiwanger

Left position as assistant to First Lady Jenny Sanford to join the campaign.
 

COUNSEL

Chief Counsel

Karl "Butch" Bowers

(announced Feb. 27, 2007)  Partner with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in Columbia.  Former chairman of the South Carolina Election Commission; appointed to the Commission by Gov. Mark Sanford in 2003 and appointed chairman in 2004.  Has served as counsel to the South Carolina Republican Party and as campaign finance counsel to numerous, successful political campaigns.  J.D. from Tulane Law School, 1998.  M.P.A. from the College of Charleston, 1993.  B.A. in political science from the University of South Carolina, 1988.  Serves as a JAG officer in the South Carolina Air National Guard, where he currently holds the rank of Major.

early endorsements and support
State Chairs
Senator Lindsey Graham - Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002.  Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994.  Elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1992.  Private law practice starting in 1988.  Six-and-a-half years of service on active duty as an Air Force lawyer.  Undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.  Native South Carolinian.

State House Speaker Bobby Harrell - (announced Jan. 16, 2007; also named as National Co-Chair of Legislators for McCain.  Note: McCain held several press conferences in South Carolina to highlight this announcement)  Represents District 114, Charleston and Dorchester Counties.  Elected to the S.C. House of Representatives in 1992; elected Majority Leader in 1997; elected Speaker in 2005.  Owner and operator of a State Farm Insurance Agency for more than 25 years.  Owner of Palmetto State Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical repackaging company.  B.S. in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.  Raised in Charleston, SC.

State Attorney General Henry McMaster - (announced by Straight Talk America on Aug. 10, 2006)  South Carolina Attorney General since 2003; unopposed for re-election in 2006.  Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, elected in 1993 and served until 2002.  U.S. Attorney for South Carolina from 1981-85; first U.S. Attorney in the nation to be appointed by President Ronald Reagan.
 

State Co-Chairs
Former State Attorney General Charlie Condon - (announced Aug. 3, 2006) Now in private practice, Charlie Condon Law Firm, LLC in Mount Pleasant, SC.  Unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2004; unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor in 2002.  Attorney General of South Carolina, 1995-2002.  Served as Circuit Solicitor of Charleston and Berkeley Counties for more than ten years.  A state chair for Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential campaign, and a Bush-Cheney co-chair in 2000.

State Secretary of State Mark Hammond - (announced Jan. 11, 2007)  Elected as South Carolina’s 41st Secretary of State in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.  Elected as Spartanburg County’s Clerk of Court in 1996; re-elected in 2000.  Criminal Investigator, aiding prosecutors for the 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, until 1996.  Juvenile Probation Officer for the South Carolina Department of Youth Services.  B.A. in political science from Newberry College, 1986; Masters in Education from Clemson University, 1988.  Lifelong resident of Spartanburg.

State Senator Hugh Leatherman - (announced Feb. 20, 2007)  Represents District 31, Darlington and Florence Counties; elected to the Senate in 1981.  Managing partner of WyBoo Investments; president of Leacon, Inc..  Elected to the Quinby Town Council in 1967 and served through 1976, including Mayor Pro Tempore, 1971-76.  In 1955, he helped found Florence Concrete Products.  B.A. in civil engineering from N.C. State University, 1953.

State Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell - (announced Oct. 4, 2006)  Elected to the South Carolina Senate in 1980; elected President Pro Tempore, the presiding officer in the Senate, Jan. 9, 2001.  Attorney and businessman; president of CSA Galleries, Inc..  Chairman of the Charleston County Republican Party from 1978-82.  Private practice.  A labor management relations specialist with the Charleston Naval Shipyard.  Staff attorney with the Neighborhood Legal Assistance Program.  J.D. from the University of South Carolina, 1972; B.S. from the College of Charleston, 1969.  Worked on the Goldwater presidential campagn.  Lifelong resident of the Charleston area.

Former Congressman John Napier - (announced Sept. 13, 2006)  Resident of Pawley’s Island.  Appointed by President Reagan as a federal judge to the U.S. Claims Court in 1986.  Practiced law in Bennettsville, 1983-86.  Elected to Congress representing the 6th District in 1980 and served one term (defeated in re-election bid).  Practiced law in Bennettsville, 1978-80.  Worked several positions on Capitol Hill, finishing as chief legislative assistant and legal counsel to U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond, 1976-78 and chief minority counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Official Conduct 1977.  A.B. from Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., 1969; J.D. from University of South Carolina, 1972; served in the United States Army Reserve as a first lieutenant, 1969-77.

Adjutant General Stan Spears - The only elected head of a state National Guard in the nation.

Former US Attorney Strom Thurmond, Jr. - (announced Sept. 28, 2006)  Son and namesake of legendary U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond.  Practicing attorney with Smith, Massey, Brodie, Thurmond & Guynn, in Aiken.  A former U.S. Attorney for South Carolina, appointed to that post by President George W. Bush in 2001.

State Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers - (announced Nov. 28, 2006)  First appointed Agriculture Commissioner by Gov. Mark Sanford to fill a vacancy in the office; elected Nov. 7, 2006 to a full four-year term.  A third generation dairy farmer, Weathers is co-owner of Weathers Farms, Inc., a 650-cow dairy operation in Bowman, South Carolina.  He also operates Weathers Trucking, Inc., a bulk milk delivery service for over 30 dairies.
 

Legislative Co-Chairs
State Senator John Courson - (announced Aug. 30, 2006)  First elected to the South Carolina Senate in 1984, and has served there continuously since then; represents District 20 (Columbia area).  Senior Vice President of KeenanSuggs Insurance.  State Chairman or State Treasurer for Sen. Strom Thurmond’s last three re-election campaigns.  Active in the presidential campaigns of George H.W. Bush in 1988, and George W. Bush in 2000.   Republican National Committeeman for South Carolina.  Chair of Reagan’s 1980 and 1984 campaign committees in South Carolina; Reagan delegate to two national conventions; one of South Carolina's presidential electors for Reagan.  Graduate of the University of South Carolina.

State Senator Mike Fair - (announced Oct. 17, 2006)  Fair has represented Greenville in the South Carolina Senate since he was elected in Nov. 1995 and is Chairman of the Senate Corrections and Penology Committee.  Elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1984 and served through 1995.  Previously served on Greenville County Council.  Graduate of the University of South Carolina.

State House Majority Leader Jim Merrill - Berkeley & Charleston Counties.

State House Speaker Pro Tempore Doug Smith - (announced Dec. 28, 2006)  Of Spartanburg.  First elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1992; Speaker Pro Tempore since November 2000. Is a practicing attorney.

On Jan. 31, 2007 at a press conference at the State House in Columbia, Speaker Bobby Harrell, surrounded by many of his colleagues, announced that 40 members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are backing Sen. McCain ("should he decide to seek the presidency," the press release notes).

Speaker Bobby Harrell Charleston & Dorchester Counties Speaker Pro-Tempore Doug Smith  Spartanburg County House Majority Leader Jim Merrill Berkeley & Charleston Counties Representative Bruce Bannister  Greenville County Representative Kenny Bingham  Lexington County Representative Joan Brady  Richland County Representative Catherine Ceips  Beaufort County Representative Converse Chellis Charleston & Dorchester Counties Representative Bill Cotty  Kershaw & Richland Counties Representative Kris Crawford  Florence County Representative Tom Dantzler  Berkeley & Charleston Counties Representative Ralph Davenport  Spartanburg County Representative Tracy Edge  Horry County Representative Marion Frye  Lexington & Saluda Counties Representative Mike Gambrell  Abbeville & Anderson Counties Representative Carl Gullick  York County Representative Ben Hagood  Charleston County Representative Nelson Hardwick  Horry County Representative Jim Harrison  Richland County Representative Gloria Haskins  Greenville County

Representative Bill Herbkersman Beaufort County Representative Shirley Hinson  Berkeley County Representative Phillip Lowe  Florence & Sumter Counties Representative Jay Lucas   Chesterfield, Darlington, Kershaw & Lancaster Counties Representative Joe Mahaffey  Spartanburg County Representative Gene Pinson  Greenwood County Representative Mike Pitts  Abbeville, Greenwood, & Laurens Counties Representative Wallace Scarborough Charleston County Representative Gary Simrill   York County Representative Donald Smith  Aiken & Edgefield Counties Representative Garry Smith  Greenville County Representative Murrell Smith  Clarendon & Sumter Counties Representative Roland Smith  Aiken County Representative Adam Taylor  Greenville & Laurens Counties Representative Mac Toole   Lexington County Representative David Umphlett  Berkeley County Representative Thad Viers  Horry County Representative Bill Whitmire  Oconee County Representative Bill Witherspoon Horry County Representative Annette Young  Charleston & Dorchester Counties

Representative Bob Walker of Landrum (announced May 4, 2007)
Representative Kit Spires of Pelion (announced May 4, 2007)
 

South Carolina County Chairs
On May 11, 2007 the campaign announced county chairs for each of South Carolina's 46 counties, a total of 82 people in all.
 

South Carolina Mayors for McCain leadership committee
On April 2, 2007 the campaign announced support of 26 mayors "from every region of the state."  Plus on April 24 the campaign announced addition of James Island Mayor Mary Clark.
Also on June 25 the campaign announced the endorsement of Greenville Mayor Knox White (started as Mayor in 1995 and elected to 4th term in June 2007).

Town, City & County Council Members
On May 8, 2007 the campaign announced support of 57 town, city and county council members.

South Carolina Veterans Advisory Committee
On April 12, 2007 the campaign announced creation of the South Carolina Veterans Advisory Committee, a 38-member committee chaired by Adjutant General Stan Spears.

South Carolina chapter of Americans of Faith
On June 5, 2007 the campaign announced a South Carolina chapter of Americans of Faith formed by State Senator Mike Fair.

Palmetto Taxpayers for McCain
On May 3, 2007 the campaign announced the endorsement of Don Weaver, president of the South Carolina Association of Taxpayers, and said that he will serve as a national advisor to the campaign on fiscal issues and as chairman of Palmetto Taxpayers for McCain.

Student Leaders for McCain
On February 12, 2007 the exploratory committee announced eighteen chairs and co-chairs on sixteen South Carolina campuses.  Earlier, Oct. 19, 2006, McCain's Straight Talk America announced a South Carolina Youth Advisory Committee comprising 11 College Republican leaders from around the state.

Law Enforcement Advisory Committee
On Oct. 31, 2006, Straight Talk America announced a South Carolina Law Enforcement Advisory Committee comprising 11 county sheriffs from around the state.
 
 

Bill Amick of Batesburg-Leesville - CEO of the Amick Company, former CEO of Amick Farms former chairman of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

Paula Harper Bethea of Hilton Head - director of external relations for the McNair Law Firm and former chairman of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.  Bush 2000 Fundraiser.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.  DeMint for Senate Finance Team 2004.

Terry Brown of Columbia - CEO of Edens and Avant, Inc.

Egerton Burroughs of Myrtle Beach - Chairman of the Board, Burroughs and Chapin.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

Mark Buyck, Jr. of Florence - Partner in The Wilcox Law Firm.  DeMint for Senate Finance Team 2004.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

Bart Daniel of Charleston  - Attorney and former U.S. Attorney.  Bush Finance Committee in 2000.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.  DeMint for Senate Finance Team 2004.

Clarence Davis of Columbia - partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP.

Joseph A. Edens, Jr. of Columbia - Chairman of Edens and Avant, Inc.  Bush Finance Committee in 2000.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

Dr. Eddie Floyd of Florence - Surgeon with Floyd Medical Associates. Bush Pioneer and Finance Committee in 2000. Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002. DeMint for Senate Finance Team 2004.  Co-Chairman Sanford for Governor Finance Committee 2006.

Joe Griffith of Charleston - President of Joe Griffith Law Firm, LLC.

Matt Hubbell of Charleston - President of Matthew Hubbell Law Firm.

Bob Hughes of Greenville - president of Hughes Development Corporation.

Dr. Stephen Imbeau of Florence - Physician with Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center and founder of the Trelys Fund.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

George Dean Johnson of Spartanburg - (announced Jan. 26, 2007)  Chairman of Johnson Development Associates and a former chairman of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.  In 2000 and 2004, he served as a pioneer for President George W. Bush’s election efforts.  Prior to Johnson Development he founded and served as the chief executive officer and director of Extended Stay America.  He is the former president of the domestic consumer division of Blockbuster Entertainment.  Johnson has more than thirty years of business experience and is a member of South Carolina's Business Hall of Fame.

Ned Johnson of Columbia - shareholder of McNair Law Firm and board member of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

Wade S. Kolb, Jr. of Sumter - attorney and former Solicitor. Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.  DeMint for Senate Finance Team 2004.

Don Leonard of Myrtle Beach  - President of Leonard, Call & Associates, Inc. Bush Finance Committee in 2000.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

Edward M. “Mac” Leppard of Columbia- Surgeon with Thoracic and Cardiovascular Associates.  McCain Finance Committee in 2000.

Miles Loadholt of Barnwell- Attorney with Motley Rice.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

Tom Mullikin of Camden - Senior partner of Moore & Van Allen. Graham for Senate fundraiser in 2002.

Cathy Novinger of Columbia - President & CEO of Novinger QTR, Inc., Executive Director of the Palmetto Agri-Business Council. Graham for Senate Finance Committee in 2002.

John S. Rainey of Camden - Attorney, Chairman of Easlan Capital, former Chairman of South Carolina Public Service Authority, and Chairman of South Carolina Board of Economic Advisors.  Bush Pioneer and Finance Committee in 2000.  Bush South Carolina Co-Chair and Pioneer in 2004.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002. Co-Chairman DeMint for Senate Finance Team 2004.  Co-Chairman Sanford for Governor Finance Committee 2006.

Robert Rainey of Anderson - President of Foothills Community Foundation.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

Jim Roquemore of Orangeburg - CEO of Super Sod Inc.

Dr. Tommy Rowland, Jr. of Columbia - Retired physician and former Chairman of the Medical University of South Carolina Board.  Bush Finance Committee in 2000.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.  DeMint for Senate Finance Team 2004.

Ambassador Bob Royall of Huger - Former U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania and Retired Chairman of National Bank of South Carolina.  State Bush Finance Chairman in 2000.  SC GOP Victory 2000 Finance Chairman.  Chairman, Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.   More detail...Served as U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania.  South Carolina Secretary of Commerce from 1995-99, appointed by Gov. David Beasley.  Chairman and CEO of the National Bank of South Carolina starting in Feb. 1991.  Started at Citizens & Southern National Bank of South Carolina as a management trainee in 1960 and retired as vice chairman of the Citizens and Southern Corporation in 1990.  Chairman of the South Carolina State Ports Authority, 1984-94.  Veteran of the U.S. Marines.  Bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina, 1956.  The Stonier Graduate School of Banking and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University's Graduate School of Business Administration.  Is a member of South Carolina's Business Hall of Fame.

Hank Scott of Barnwell - President and CEO of Collums Lumber Mill Inc.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

Stewart Spinks of Greenville - CEO of The Spinx Companies.  DeMint for Senate Finance Team 2004.

Bill H. Stern of Columbia - President and CEO of Stern and Stern Commercial Development.  Sanford for Governor Finance Committee Chairman.  2006 SC Inaugural Committee Chairman.

J. Hamilton Stewart, III - Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Bill Timmerman of Columbia - Chairman and CEO of SCANA Corporation.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

Dr. Larry Ware of Spartanburg - Physician with Skylyn Medical. Graham for Senate Fundraiser 2002.

Doug Wendel of Myrtle Beach - CEO of Burroughs and Chapin. Bush Finance Committee in 2000.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

John B. White, Jr. of Spartanburg- Member of Harrison, White, Smith & Coggins, P.C.

Mack Whittle of Greenville - CEO of the South Financial Group.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

Reynolds Williams of Florence - Chairman of State Retirement Investment Commission and Managing Partner of The Wilcox Law Firm.

Larry Wilson of Columbia - Partner in Pequot Ventures and former CEO of PMSC.  Bush 2000 Fundraiser.  Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.

George Wolfe of Columbia - Partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP.  SC GOP Victory 2000 Finance Chairman. Bush Finance Committee in 2000. Graham for Senate Finance Committee 2002.
 
 

STRAIGHT TALK AMERICA (2006 cycle)

endorsements
South Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers
(announced Nov. 28, 2006)  First appointed Agriculture Commissioner by Gov. Mark Sanford to fill a vacancy in the office; elected Nov. 7, 2006 to a full four-year term.  A third generation dairy farmer, Weathers is co-owner of Weathers Farms, Inc., a 650-cow dairy operation in Bowman, South Carolina.  He also operates Weathers Trucking, Inc., a bulk milk delivery service for over 30 dairies.

House Speaker Pro Tempore Doug Smith
(announced Dec. 28, 2006)  Of Spartanburg.  First elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1992; Speaker Pro Tempore since November 2000. Is a practicing attorney.

Secretary of State Mark Hammond
(announced Jan. 11, 2007)  Elected as South Carolina’s 41st Secretary of State in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.  Elected as Spartanburg County’s Clerk of Court in 1996; re-elected in 2000.  Criminal Investigator, aiding prosecutors for the 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, until 1996.  Juvenile Probation Officer for the South Carolina Department of Youth Services.  B.A. in political science from Newberry College, 1986; Masters in Education from Clemson University, 1988.  Lifelong resident of Spartanburg.
 
 

Copyright © 2006, 2007, 2008  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action