Democrat James Smith Faces A “Challenging” Primary Fight In South Carolina Gov Race 

Despite his attempts to unify South Carolina Democrats by enlisting the support of left-wing leaders like Maxine Waters, Democrat gubernatorial candidate James Smith finds himself facing a bitter primary battle that threatens to divide his party. After a week of touting local endorsements, Smith was attacked by his primary rival, Phil Noble, who knocked Smith’s candidacy, claiming that Democrats have tried to run candidates like him in the past and “they get beat.” 

A Charleston political scientist emphasized that Noble’s opposition makes things “more challenging” for Smith, as Democrats need to be “completely united” with “no bad blood” to win in South Carolina. With Noble now openly attacking Smith, indicating that he plans on fighting him to the end for the nomination, South Carolina Democrats’ hopes of victory are quickly dwindling. 

The Charleston Post & Courier reports:

“‘For James Smith, having another Democrat in the race is going to make it more challenging. You’re trying to get a lead and get that momentum and money while also trying to avoid a negative primary that could weaken you,’ [Charleston political scientist Gibbs] Knotts said. ‘To be able to win in South Carolina, it’s going to take Democrats being completely united — no bad blood.’

Noble said the endorsements coming out for his opposing candidate do not phase him. He’s comfortable being the guy without the backing of party line Democrats…

Taking a swing at Smith’s resume as a seasoned, well-liked Statehouse politician from Columbia, Noble said what Democrats have tried in the past with gubernatorial candidates just doesn’t work.

‘They’re smart. They’re talented. Their colleagues love them. They have good legislative records. They’re wonderful people. They’re all our friends and they run for office with small ideas, limited ambitions, little goals and they run as ‘Republican-light.’ And what happens? They get beat,’ Noble said.

‘We’ve got to elect a different kind of Democrat,’ he said.”