Local businessman John Gallman announced his intentions to run for S.C. Senate District 33 today. He will challenge long time, incumbent Senator Luke Rankin in a June 9th primary. The winner will likely have no opposition in November 2020.
Over 200 people attended the event held at RIOZ Brazilian Steak House in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Gallman’s address sounded intentionally “Sundayesque”. Those attending included pastors, firemen, businessmen, school teachers, and local Horry County residents.
While the message’s tone resonated like a Sunday sermon, the content was clearly directed at fixing many of S.C.’s broken roads and broken systems. You can view his entire campaign speech here.
Santee Cooper $9 Billion Lost
Gallman highlighted the current Santee Cooper nuclear debacle which lost $9 billion under the watch of current oversight chairman Luke Rankin. Gallman stated, “This loss will cost every Santee Cooper utility customer $6,200.00. It will also cost every Horry Electric customer $4,200.00.”
Gallman stated, if elected, he would demand accountability.
Heartbeat Bill
Gallman also stated that he would pass the Heartbeat Bill. According to leaders of Citizens for Life: The bill is currently being held up in committee in the Senate by current Senator Luke Rankin. Rankin is not allowing a roll call vote on the bill. A roll call vote is one in which each senator votes “yea” or “nay” as his or her name is called.
The bill would prohibit abortions after a heartbeat can be detected, which is usually when a woman is six weeks pregnant.
Judicial Reform
Gallman also expressed the need for S.C. judicial reform. S.C. is only one of two states where “lawyer-legislators” pick our judges. Gallman believes that judges should be picked by the executive (Governor) with oversight from the senate. This is the same process used at the Federal level with the president picking judges and the senate confirming.
I 73
Gallman says S.C. needs to fix its broken roads. Roads, including Highway 544 and Highway 501 must be fixed first. The gas tax monies are being collected, but our roads remain in disrepair. Gallman believes I-73 should not be Horry County’s highest priority. Our current roads need attention now.
We reached out to Senator Luke Rankin earlier in the year, when rumors of a primary challenge were being discussed. He had no comment at that time.
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