We applaud the work of many members of the South Carolina General Assembly for their efforts to ensure ballot access for candidates across the state. Unfortunately, these efforts are thwarted by few. Men and women alike were disqualified from the ballot after a recent SC Supreme Court decision.
While the Palladian View does not involve itself in contested primaries, we do stand for justice. In an apparent attempt to prevent challengers from across the state from getting on the ballot, including his challenger, Katrina Shealy, Senator Jake Knotts impeded a resolution to allow candidate access. We would call on Senator Knotts to act as a statesman in this regard, not someone solely concerned with his own political future. We hope the General Assembly passes this legislative fix as soon as possible to allow affected candidates – both men and women – onto the ballot.
As more and more women are offering themselves for public office, the Palladian View is continuing to promote the work of conservative women. South Carolina has light years to go before emerging from the statistical cellar of having females in leadership positions, but we do see progress.
Last week, Palladian View participated with the Republican National Committee (RNC) comprehensive training program for women called Blackboard 2 Blacktop. With so much attention being given to the so-called “War on Women,” it is crucial that Republican women have a seat at the table in all levels of our party—local, state, and national.
In an effort to harness the Republican woman’s voice and vote in the upcoming Presidential election, RNC Co-Chairman Sharon Day hosted the RNC training program. The program assembled Republican women activists and leaders from around the country with a detailed look at the latest trends, technologies and talents available to GOP women as they run campaigns and victory centers. The general and breakout sessions were all led by leading experts and top RNC staff. Also featured at the conference were RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and National Federation of Republican Women President Rae Chornenky. Palladian View publisher and former South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd was the final keynote speaker, challenging the women to “Be the Elephant in the Room.”
Later in the week, Palladian View sponsored an appreciation luncheon for the South Carolina Federation of Republican Women (SCFRW) during their annual Legislative Day. Hundreds of women in a sea of red listened to the 8 Republican Women Caucus members and other women running for office in the Blatt Building - standing room only. The SCFRW members spent their day networking with elected officials and state party officers, being recognized in the state house and state senate, dining with Palladian View and the Republican Women Caucus members and receiving comments from Governor Nikki Haley at the Mansion.
One thing is for certain: the national and state Republican Party, the Federation of Republican Women and our elected officials have a responsibility to ensure access to our right to vote for qualified candidates. No matter what we do, allowing one person the purview to destroy the freedoms of many is unconscionable. Women, stand shoulder to shoulder in our collective call to action.
