Horry County is possibly the most red voting county in South Carolina.
However, among our local elected delegation, which includes: S.C. Senator Luke Rankin, S.C. Senator Greg Hembree, S.C. Senator Stephen Goldfinch, Representative Heather Ammons Crawford, U.S. 7th District Congressman Russell Fry, Representative Carla Schuessler, Representative Val Guest, Representative Tim McGinnis, and more than 8 others, the highest rated conservative has only a 60% conservative voting record.
These numbers have caused members of the nationally elected U.S. Freedom Caucus to question why such a red county as Horry is run by left voting elected officials.
Three realities have come to light:
- A high constant influx of new Republican voters are not aware that many candidates running are not really conservatives. Horry County grows by 24% annually and those arriving (like Florida) want conservative leadership. They are fleeing the liberal policies of the North, but are unaware that Democrats hide out as Republicans when running for office in Horry County. One recent example: Former Myrtle Beach Area Chamber Board President Carla Schuessler was a high ranking, lifelong Democrat, until she switched parties last year before successfully running as the Forestbrook District 61 State Representative.
- Not enough of those moving here realize that primaries matter most. Those who vote in the Fall allow groups like the Grand Strand Business Alliance PAC (associated with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce) to pick their liberal candidates.
- Few know the name and the influence of Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce [MBACC] associated political consultant Walter Whetsell.
THE STRATEGY: TO KEEP FREEDOM CAUCUS MEMBERS OUT
Most S.C. Freedom Caucus members live in areas like Greenville, Laurens, Pickens, along the Upstate regions of South Carolina. Like Horry County, residents living there are very conservative.
Last night, the above text meme was sent to all of the residents living in counties represented by Freedom Caucus members. Targeted Republicans included: Freedom Caucus Chair Adam Morgan, Representative Steward Jones, Representative R.J. May, Representative Josiah Magnuson, and the entire Freedom Caucus delegation.
THE GOAL is to financially tie up the National Freedom Caucus and ensure that all monies coming into the state be committed on these, existing Freedom Caucus elected Republicans (allowing them to hold on to their seats).
THE PUSH BACK FROM RESIDENTS: What Whetsell and Associates do not understand is that most of the residents in these areas are even more to the right than these very conservative candidates. In fact, sources told MyrtleBeachSC News that several Freedom Caucus candidates received large sums of small donor, local campaign contributions as a result of these very attacks.
Whetsell may need another approach. While his MBACC backed candidates must consistently fool the voters back home to hold on to power, Freedom Caucus candidates operate transparently.
ABOUT WALTER WHETSELL
The below is listed on the Walter Whetsell linked in profile:
Walter served as General Consultant for Congressman Mick Mulvaney, now-U.S. Senator Tim Scott, Congressman Tom Rice and Congressman Ralph Norman as well as the Senior Advisor for Congressman Jeff Duncan. He managed West Main Street PAC (the affiliated Super-PAC responsible for supporting U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in 2014,) and served as a Strategic Consultant to Security is Strength (the affiliated Super-PAC responsible for supporting U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in 2020).
Starboard’s current clients include: the S.C. House Republican Caucus, more than 60 state, federal and county elected officials, and numerous corporate, industry-group affiliates, and Fortune-500 companies with footprints in S.C.
Whetsell also represents: Myrtle Beach Area Representative Case Brittain, Liberal Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune, Representative Val Guest, SC State Senator Stephen Goldfinch, Horry County Councilwoman Jenna Dukes, and supports practically all of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce preferred candidates.
WILL THE FREEDOM CAUCUS COME TO HORRY?
The D.C. Freedom Caucus that includes Jim Jordan, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, Madison Cawthorn, Mo Brooks, Andy Biggs, Scott Perry and Lauren Boebert are now doing the heavy lifting in D.C., holding the national government accountable.
They truly believe that the best way to change America is to do so state by state.
Whetsell is right in believing this group plans to invest in Horry County. Marjorie Taylor Greene raises more in campaign contributions than any other congressperson in our nation.
She does so, because a national audience wants to invest in her efforts.
It is likely that money to compete against the MBACC liberal PACs will come into Horry County during the next election cycle. These monies will give residents better options when going to the polls during the primaries.
Meanwhile, Whetsell and company are working overtime to hold onto their state tax subsidized, local Horry County kingdom.