A statewide group said some local state lawmakers seeking re-election have received contributions from a New York activist pushing for private school vouchers, but the candidates deny those claims.
The S.C. New Democrats, an independent reform group founded by former Gov. Dick Riley, is asking for candidates to return any money they have received from Howard Rich.
The group describes Rich as an “extremely wealthy New York real estate developer and libertarian political activist” pushing for private school vouchers and tax credits in South Carolina.
The group says S.C. District 60 Rep. Phillip Lowe has received $3,000 from Rich and his associates this election cycle and that District 63 Rep. Kris Crawford has gotten $5,000.
Crawford said he hasn’t received any money from Rich or any of his affiliated groups this election cycle.
“They’re lying, and, honestly, given the tactics used by the Democrats across the state this election cycle, I’m not surprised that they’re lying,” Crawford said.
Lowe said he’s raised more than $100,000, most of it from Florence, and that he hasn’t tracked down the source of his out-of-state contributions.
“In no way would a person’s contribution to my campaign ever impact my decision on a vote,” Lowe said.
The most recent campaign finance statements, filed this month with the S.C. State Ethics Commission, show no contributions to Crawford or Lowe from groups identified by the S.C. New Democrats as businesses run by Rich and his associates.
The two Republicans face Democratic opponents this year — Barry Wingard and Zackery Cooper, respectively.
“If you choose to send your son or daughter to private school, you should not have to ask your neighbor to pay for it,” Wingard said.
Cooper said he feels like the state’s public schools are “under attack.”
“We need to be aware of it, and (Rich and his associates) need to be exposed, because public education is the lifeblood of my district, anyway,” he said.
S.C. New Democrats President Phil Noble pointed out that some Democrats have received donations from Rich, as well.
“It’s not party; it’s principle,” Noble said.
The group said Rich and his associates have given $600,000 to 44 candidates in South Carolina during this year’s election cycle.
According to 2006 campaign contribution reports listed on www.followthemoney.org, Lowe and Crawford received $5,000 each from businesses the S.C. New Democrats say belong to Rich and his associates.
Noble also said Rich can “dump” more money into campaigns now that the final campaign finance reports before the election have been filed. The reports will be updated in January.
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