If the endorsements of Catherine Templeton and Lt. Governor Kevin Bryant for former Marine John Warren were not enough of a challenge for current Governor Henry McMaster, the run off date of June 26th could ruin his chances entirely.

THE PROBLEM FOR MCMASTER – THIS GUY

Trey Gowdy is stepping down as one of the most popular U.S. Congressmen from the State of S.C.  Like Warren, Gowdy is from Greenville, S.C.  The runoff for his seat will be held on June 26th also.

Warren, a Marine veteran and owner of a mortgage lending company, earned a spot in the June 26 runoff despite entering the race only in February. The 39-year-old capitalized on his political inexperience, experts say, spending $3 million of his own money on his campaign to pitch himself as a fresh face who would change the way that business is done at the State House.

The June 26 contest puts 71 year old  McMaster in a precarious spot, making him the first sitting governor in modern S.C. politics to be forced into a runoff.

CRYING FOUL

While the Governor largely avoided the primary debate schedule, he is now saying the run off for Gowdy’s seat will drive an enormous number of voters to the polls from Greenville, S.C. giving an unfair advantage to Warren.

Meanwhile, the polls and endorsements have Warren surging at a time when McMaster looks increasingly weak.  His former political consultant, Richard Quinn, Sr., was indicted last December and turned State’s evidence to avoid prosecution.