Candidate Admits Voting in 2008 Democrat Primary

The surprise withdrawal of Sen. Phil Shoopman from the District 5 Republican Senate primary has triggered a potential major crisis for the Republican Party locally and at the state level.

Immediately, stories began to surface alleging that there was more to the Shoopman withdrawal from the race than has been made public, including a possibility that he was nudged from the race by unnamed individuals in positions of influence.

In the meantime, the South Carolina Republican Party Chairman and State Executive Committee, faced with a state-imposed deadline, opted to reopen the filing period for 48 hours in accordance with state law, since only one candidate remained.

Two additional candidates, Wyatt Miller of Greer and District 17 Rep. Tom Corbin filed to become candidates for the seat.

Amanda Somers, the original challenger of Shoopman in the primary and a newcomer on the Republican scene, apparently thought she would automatically have the seat if Shoopman dropped out after the original filing period closed.

On the same day that Shoopman’s withdrawal was made public, Amanda Somers announced that she had hired attorney Todd Kincannon and was filing a lawsuit seeking an injunction to prohibit the party from reopening the filing period for Senate District 5 and allowing competition in the June 12 Republican Primary.

Somers, along with other candidates, has been invited to address the Greenville County Republican Women’s Club during their monthly luncheon at the Poinsett Club on Thursday. This will be her first appearance before a large Republican group since she announced her candidacy and challenged the party.

It is a matter of public record that Somers voted in the 2008 Democrat Presidential Primary.  Her chances of representing the most conservative senate district in South Carolina would be greatly enhanced if she had no opponent.

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