News
Rex moves toward run for governor
August 6, 2009
State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex will move closer today to a gubernatorial run when he files paperwork with the State Ethics Commission that will allow him to raise money for the 2010 race.
Rex, the state's only Democrat to hold statewide office, told The State newspaper on Wednesday he will rely on an exploratory committee to help him reach a decision on whether to run by early September.
Recent speculation had Rex, 67, sitting out the governor's race.
The former dean of education for Winthrop University, who squeaked out a 2006 win, said he is also open to running for a second term as the state's school chief.
"I'm trying to keep both options open right now," said Rex, whose level of fundraising for the most recent quarter left many political spectators believing he would not run. Rex raised nearly $37,000 and spent all but about $9,000.
Political insiders think the primary and general elections will require each Democratic contender to raise between $5 million and $6 million.
The Fairfield County Democrat said, if he decides to run, he'll focus on job creation, re-establishing faith in government and improving public education.
"After 2½ years (as superintendent), it's become apparent to me there's going to be imposed limits if there's not someone in the governor's office who takes up the leadership mantle," Rex said.
"I get a lot of input from people," Rex said of his travels around the state. "They want jobs and a growing economy, a government committed to accountability and a state committed to improving schools."
Rex's candidacy could be a game changer for the Democratic primary.
"His entrance fundamentally alters the dynamic of the race," said Scott Huffmon, a Winthrop University political scientist. "You now are including someone with statewide name recognition. He just comes in with an edge over the other Democrats because of it."
But the edge will be diminished if voters think public education has not improved during Rex's 2½-year tenure.
An uncertain economy and a statewide tax swap that left public schools dependent on fickle sales tax revenue could help Rex's run, Huffmon speculated.
Rex said he's proud of his accomplishments as superintendent, including improvements in the state's on-time high school graduation rate.
He has been criticized by some conservative groups for the continuing failure of some high-poverty public schools and his unwillingness to support proposals that would give tax credits to parents who send their students to private schools.
Former U.S. Secretary of Education and former S.C. Gov. Dick Riley said Wednesday he thinks South Carolinians have a positive opinion of Rex's time in office.
While the two men are friends, Riley stopped short of endorsing Rex, saying he does not endorse leading up to the primaries.
Rex joins a multiple-candidate race, which includes Charleston Sen. Robert Ford, Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod, Kershaw County Sen. Vincent Sheheen and others who may get a boost from the scandal involving Gov. Mark Sanford's secret trip to Argentina to visit his lover.
Sheheen, who has raised more money than any other Democrat so far, is also unannounced and considering a run through an exploratory committee.
"The whole notion that so many people, so many good Democrats want to run tells you something about political trends in South Carolina," said Carol Fowler, chairwoman of the S.C. Democratic Party.
Still, Huffmon and others point out that a Democratic gubernatorial victory in Republican-controlled South Carolina remains a long shot.
From TheState.com
By GINA SMITH
gnsmith@thestate.com
Reach Smith at (803) 771-8658.
