sccf

SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILIES DESERVE EDUCATION FREEDOM

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 19:49:55 GMT

Every week it seems like states across the country are passing new school choice policies that expand opportunity for students. Now it’s South Carolina’s turn: this week, the Senate is considering a bill that would bring historic education freedom to our state. We have the chance to lead the way in expanding education freedom for families and ensure that kids in South Carolina have the best education possible.

Senator Wes Climer has introduced amendments to the bill (S.39) that would substantially increase the number of families eligible to participate. Our goal should be simple: expand school choice to include as many students as possible.

Many senators, including Senator Climer, Senator Michael Johnson , and Senator Harvey Peeler , have been champions for education freedom. We need more senators to stand with them to support school choice.

I’m asking for your help: please call and email your state senator today and ask them to support Senator Climer’s amendments to the school choice bill.

School choice is about recognizing that parents know what is best for their children. Every parent deserves the opportunity to choose the education that is best for their child – regardless of their income or zip code. The South Carolina Senate has the chance to make that opportunity a reality for tens of thousands of families.

South Carolina kids are counting on us! Contact your senator today.

Four key endorsements

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 16:11:01 GMT

Election Day is almost here and South Carolina’s Conservative Future is proud to endorse four candidates for the South Carolina House of Representatives.

All of these candidates are committed conservatives who will fight to lower taxes, make government smaller, and put a stop to wasteful spending. In all four races, Democrats are desperately trying to beat these conservative leaders.

We need your help to secure victory. Every dollar you give will go directly towards supporting these candidates . Not one dime goes to administrative costs – only towards candidate support.

South Carolina’s Conservative Future is proud to fight for expanding economic opportunity, government accountability, and freedom. Join us in supporting these four candidates!

John

The Most Important Vote to Protect Life in South Carolina History

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 16:56:40 GMT

Next week, South Carolina has the chance to become the most pro-life state in the country.

On October 18, the South Carolina State Senate will be voting on the Human Life Protection Act, H.5399 - a bill that would protect unborn children and their mothers from abortion.

Let me be clear: this is the most consequential vote for life in our state's history. South Carolina's Conservative Future strongly supports this legislation and asks you to call and email your state senator today to express your support for the Human Life Protection Act.

This bill would prevent abortions in South Carolina, except in cases of rape, incest, and when the mother's life is at risk. This bill will protect 99% of unborn children.

There are multiple Republican senators, who campaigned on a platform on being pro-life, who have not committed to supporting this bill. We need your help to make South Carolina the most pro-life state in the country.

Please send an email and call your state senator today. You can find your senator's contact information here .

Thank you for your willingness to help protect life in South Carolina.

John Warren

Parents' rights and school choice are on the line

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Wed, 25 May 2022 19:55:17 GMT

There has never been a more important time in education than right now . South Carolina has been ranked towards the bottom for decades, and the past few years have only made it worse. Our kids deserve the best, not the status quo.

For South Carolina's next superintendent of education, we need a bold leader who puts the needs of kids first . A leader who is committed to excellence in foundational academic skills like literacy. And a leader who fundamentally believes that parents know what is best for their children, not the government .

I am proud to announce that South Carolina's Conservative Future is endorsing Ellen Weaver for superintendent of education . Ellen is a lifelong conservative Republican who has fought in the trenches for school choice. She is by far the most qualified candidate in her knowledge, skillset, and conservative beliefs.

We need Ellen's leadership in Columbia. Join me in supporting her for South Carolina superintendent of education.

Our first round of primary endorsements

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Mon, 23 May 2022 16:07:48 GMT

When I founded South Carolina’s Conservative Future in 2020, our primary objective was to elect leaders to state government who are conservative, capable, and courageous.

In the 2022 Republican primary, there is an enormous opportunity to dramatically increase the number of conservative legislators who will serve with conservative values and courageous conviction.

Throughout the next two weeks, we will be making endorsements in key races across the state. I ask that you join us in supporting these candidates by donating to our organization – every dollar you give goes directly towards supporting conservative candidates across the state.

We are proud to announce that our first three endorsed candidates are:

Stay tuned for more endorsements later this week!

Send a conservative businessman to Columbia

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 18:49:45 GMT

Has there ever been a more important time to elect the right people to the state senate? South Carolina currently has the highest income tax rates in the Southeast, wasteful spending in government, and no plan to fix education. We need more leaders in Columbia who value the taxpayer, the student, and the parent – not another career politician.

That’s why today, I am proud to announce that South Carolina’s Conservative Future is endorsing Mike Reichenbach for state senate in district 31 . Mike is a career businessman who will champion our shared values – he will cut taxes, put a stop to wasteful spending, and always put the needs of students and parents first.

Mike has spent his life in the private sector - as a businessman and community volunteer. He served as a commissioned law enforcement officer, employs hundreds of people, and understands the value of a dollar.

We need Mike’s leadership in South Carolina. On Tuesday, January 25, support conservative businessman Mike Reichenbach for state senate.

Stand with children and parents

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 16:21:40 GMT

Since 2020, South Carolina children have had to endure a lot. Closed schools, mask mandates, time away from friends – even some playgrounds were closed for weeks. Never has there been a better case for giving parents and families more choices in education.

But the truth is, kids have been suffering at the hands of bureaucrats who refuse to put students first for years. T ens of thousands of South Carolina children are zoned for some of the lowest performing schools in the country. Many of these children are far behind in reading and most of those schools do little to truly prepare students for their futures.

In 2022, let’s resolve to change this trajectory.

South Carolina’s Conservative Future is committed to real school choice – where parents and children actually have more than one option when it comes to education. Conservatives rightly say that parents know what’s best for their kids. But too many politicians and special interest groups in Columbia are blocking the ability of parents to exercise that right.

During the 2022 election cycle and throughout legislative session, South Carolina’s Conservative Future will:

- Support candidates who champion true school choice.
Oppose candidates who choose protecting the status quo over standing with families.
Support the expansion of high-quality public charter schools.
Support funding students as individuals, instead of funding systems.
Support strong accountability so that taxpayers know how their money is being spent.

It’s time for politicians in Columbia who call themselves Republicans to start acting like it. Stand with families and students and support school choice in 2022.

Thank you for fighting for taxpayers

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 12:30:06 GMT

When our elected officials fight for transparency and accountability, we need to thank them. We may not always agree with every decision they make, but when legislators fight for the taxpayers, voters need to know. As legislative session winds down, please take a moment to contact these senators and representatives.

Accountability

Senator Katrina Shealy

When government agencies like the Department of Juvenile Justice wouldn't take action to protect children, Senator Katrina Shealy refused to stand down. Her leadership is making a difference to ensure that all children are protected.

Senator Wes Climer

Senator Climer led the charge to hold Department of Commerce bureaucrats accountable when they misspent our money, and he was the first to call for selling the state plane when politicians took vacations on our dime. Senator Wes Climer is a champion for fiscal responsibility.

Senators Richard Cash, Wes Climer, Tom Corbin, Shane Massey, Rex Rice | Representatives Patrick Haddon, Josiah Magnuson, RJ May, Ryan McCabe, Adam Morgan, and Ashley Trantham

These senators and representatives opposed earmark and pork barrel spending. Special earmarks promote wasteful spending and should be eliminated.

Senators Tom Corbin, Brian Adams, Wes Climer, Danny Verdin, Katrina Shealy, Rex Rice, Josh Kimbrell, and Scott Talley | Representatives Josiah Magnuson, Mike Burns, Stewart Jones, Adam Morgan, Steve Moss, RJ May, Steven Long and Jonathon Hill

These senators and representatives sponsored legislation to reform the judicial selection process. The way judges are chosen in South Carolina is broken, and voters deserve judges who will interpret the law, not try to make the law.

Transparency

Senators Scott Talley, Rex Rice, and Ross Turner | Representative Jason Elliott
These legislators sponsored a bill known as the Taxpayer Transparency Act, which would make it easier for taxpayers to know exactly how their money is being spent in Columbia. This legislation is desperately needed and we support their work to bring increased transparency.

Senator Shane Massey

Senator Massey was the leader in the fight against earmark and pork barrel spending. Special budget carve outs for the politically connected are wrong, and we thank Senator Shane Massey for fighting against earmarks.

Contact these senators and representatives and tell them thank you.

John

Only career politicians would think this is necessary

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 13:00:59 GMT

Last week, we launched Accountability for Taxpayers – an initiative to expose wasteful spending and corruption of the career politicians in Columbia. And it doesn't get more wasteful than crony capitalism.

In 2019, South Carolina politicians rammed through a sweetheart deal for the billionaire who owns the Carolina Panthers - to the tune of $165M in taxpayer money. All because the billionaire promised to bring 150 jobs to the state.

That means taxpayers are paying more than $1,100,000 per job that was promised to be created!

Only career politicians who have never actually created a job think it’s necessary to spend that much money to bring jobs to our state. Just ask the thousands of small business leaders who drive our economy and don’t get a dime from state government.

While South Carolina taxpayers get hosed every year with some of the highest taxes in the country a politically connected out-of-state billionaire got a special deal on our dime.

With our roads in desperate need of repair, more police officers needed on our streets, and the highest income tax rate in the Southeast, why on earth is our state government paying a billionaire $1,100,000 per job?

Call your legislators today and ask them to stop making bad deals with taxpayer money.

Political pork shouldn't be on the taxpayers' dime

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 14:31:53 GMT

Earlier this week, we launched our newest initiative: Accountability for Taxpayers. We promised to expose problems created by the career politicians in Columbia – specifically wasteful spending and corruption.

Unfortunately for the people of South Carolina, there are more examples than we could possibly count, but first up on the list: South Carolina’s 2021-2022 budget.

Despite the state having a staggering $1.7 billion surplus, taxpayers are getting ZERO in tax relief. Instead, politicians have used our money to help themselves to a pork spending buffet.

Here are just a few items stuffed into this year’s budget:

- $5,000,000 for an opera house

- $200,000 for a food and wine festival

- $550,000 for an “Art Park Project”

- $250,000 for a tennis center

South Carolina has the highest income tax in the Southeast, but this is how politicians are spending our hard-earned tax dollars?

Call your legislators today and ask them to remove pork and earmark spending from the budget. Taxpayer money belongs to the people of South Carolina, not politicians.

John

Accountability for Taxpayers

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 13:24:36 GMT

When we launched South Carolina’s Conservative Future last year, one of our goals was to empower conservatives across the state with information about our state government. Career politicians love nothing more than hiding the truth about how they spend our money. That is about to change.

That’s why I'm excited to announce the launch of a new initiative: Accountability for Taxpayers. This is a statewide effort to root out corruption and wasteful spending in state government.

As we prepare for the 2022 election cycle, we want incumbent and prospective candidates to know that voters expect conservative policy. Every candidate seems to talk like a conservative on the campaign trail, but they start voting and acting like liberal Democrats when they get to Columbia!

Over the next few weeks, we'll be exposing just a few examples of problems caused by career politicians in Columbia and asking you to call and email your elected officials to make your voice heard.

It’s time that taxpayers get what we pay for and expect: accountability for our hard-earned tax dollars.

Stay tuned for more later this week!

John

Lack of transparency and accountability on $7.6M in taxpayer money

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 19:29:12 GMT

More broken promises. A recent news report shows that South Carolina state government has allowed big businesses to break their promises when it comes to job creation. And it gets worse: the state allowed those businesses to keep their taxpayer funded incentives. $7.6 million worth.

From the Post and Courier:

"The final report criticized the lack of transparency surrounding those economic development packages, and the findings raised questions about the state’s oversight of the companies that receive those lucrative contracts. It also broadly mentioned how the state declined to claw back at least $7.6 million from companies that didn’t meet all of their obligations under their contracts."

This is completely unacceptable. Taxpayers deserve accountability and transparency.

You can read the full Post and Courier article here .

An important first step

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 22:28:12 GMT

February 4, 2021 - Yesterday was an important day. A majority of Republicans stood tall and voted against a liberal Democrat being elected to the South Carolina Court of Appeals.

But this is just the first step in fixing our broken system in selecting judges. The current system invites conflicts of interest and is a boondoggle for trial lawyers. It must change, and Conservative Judges Now is just the beginning of our work to bring transparency and fairness to the judicial selection process.

Call and email these Republican legislators who voted the right way and opposed a liberal Democrat on the Court of Appeals and tell them thank you :

U nfortunately, a few Republicans caved to the political system and voted for a liberal Democrat on the Court of Appeals.

These Republican senators and representatives did not vote in the judicial election.

Let your legislators know that South Carolinians want conservative judges and that our selection system must change.

Thanks for your continued dedication to making South Carolina stronger than ever before!

Desperation in Columbia

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 23:25:12 GMT

When Democrats in the state legislature, along with their allies in the media, are attacking you, you must be doing something right. This morning in a news article, liberal Democrats Brad Hutto, Darrell Jackson, and Dick Harpootlian attacked me for standing up for fighting for constitutional conservative judges. And it's all because they are desperate to cling to their power of electing liberal judges. They are furious that someone is challenging the status quo.

Judge DeAndrea Benjamin, a current circuit court judge, is running for the South Carolina Court of Appeals. This is the second most powerful court in our state and deals with important issues like school choice and gun rights. According to public records, she is a dedicated Democrat having voted exclusively in Democratic primaries since 2006.

DEANDREA BENJAMIN VOTING RECORD

Furthermore, she was a partner at her family law firm when they donated thousands of dollars to liberal Democrats like Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, former gubernatorial candidate Vincent Sheheen, former Solicitor Dan Johnson (who was sentenced to prison for corruption), and State Senator Mia McLeod.

Why does it matter if a liberal democrat is a judge? It matters because judges rule on important decisions like religious liberty, abortion, school choice, gun rights , and much more.

Judge Benjamin also has controversial rulings. In one ruling, she allowed a suspected criminal in the murder investigation of a single mother to be released on bond.

Last November, we elected a Republican supermajority in South Carolina. Voters expect our legislature to elect constitutional conservatives like Amy Coney Barrett and Clarence Thomas. Why would any true Republican be voting to confirm judges whose ideology is more in line with Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan?

Democrats can attack me all they want. I won't back down. The real question is this: “How many Republicans in the legislature will stand with me and fight for constitutional conservative judges?”

Call and email your legislator and ask them to stand with us: Elect constitutional conservative judges in South Carolina.

Together we can change South Carolina for the better.

South Carolina's government has bungled the COVID vaccine rollout

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 15:45:07 GMT

GREENVILLE, SC – As South Carolinians seek access to the COVID-19 vaccine, our state ranks near the bottom for vaccine distribution and availability. South Carolina is even behind notoriously mismanaged states like New York, which bungled its response to the pandemic.

There is no question that South Carolina’s state leaders failed us. The phone number that was distributed by the state government for people to call to make an appointment crashed. Hospitals were given conflicting guidance from state leaders on who should receive the vaccine first – less than one week before vaccinations were supposed to be available to the public.

And to top it off, according to CDC data, South Carolina was given fewer vaccines per capita than any other state in the nation – and where, unlike Michigan and California, our elected leaders didn’t needlessly antagonize President Trump for political purposes.

South Carolina had months to prepare. By the middle of November, the nation knew that vaccine distribution was imminent.

West Virginia didn’t play South Carolina in football this year, but it has run circles around our state when it comes to getting the vaccine into people’s arms. Its governor, Jim Justice, said, "A lot of governors sat on their hands trying to come up with a system or a formula of what they were going to do. We didn't sit on our hands. We acted.”

West Virginia brought together pharmacies, local health departments, and even the National Guard to organize and plan an effective distribution plan. By the time the vaccine was ready for distribution, West Virginia was ready.

In South Carolina, state leaders were still trying to figure out who was in charge. As a result, West Virginia has now provided the vaccine to three times the number of citizens per capita compared with the Palmetto State.

In moments of crisis, government is supposed to protect its citizens. In our current COVID-19 crisis, South Carolina’s leaders have proven Ronald Reagan correct when he said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help."

In March and April of 2020, state government shut down small businesses and contributed to the economic situation we’re in now. In January of 2021, state government has bungled the rollout of the vaccine that is supposed to help us get back to normal quickly. The mission was perfectly clear: Deliver vaccines to the South Carolinians who wanted them as quickly and safely as possible. Despite that clarity, executing the mission proved too difficult a task for South Carolina’s leaders.

Broken phone systems. Unclear communication. Conflicting answers. Poor service. South Carolina’s government should not be run like a cable TV company. And it doesn’t have to be.

This piece originally ran in the Greenville News. You can find the online version here: https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/opinion/2021/01/26/opinion-sc-has-bungled-covid-vaccine-rollout/4244635001/

TWO MORE ENDORSEMENTS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA’S CONSERVATIVE FUTURE

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 17:49:39 GMT

GREENVILLE, SC – South Carolina’s Conservative Future endorsed two more candidates for the state legislature Thursday. The organization, founded by businessman John Warren, has committed to endorsing and supporting state legislative candidates who are conservative, capable, and courageous.

The endorsements include:

Penry Gustafson, Senate District 27 – Chesterfield, Kershaw, and Lancaster Counties
Senator Tom Davis, Senate District 46 – Beaufort County

In announcing the endorsements, Warren said, “Penry Gustafson is a leader who is committed to holding government accountable. She is challenging a senator who made $10.2 million off of Santee Cooper – at the expense of taxpayers. South Carolina needs legislators who are transparent and conservative – Penry Gustafson will be that kind of senator.”

Warren added, “Tom Davis has been a fighter for taxpayers during his entire career. Our state benefits from Tom’s leadership in the State Senate.”

In addition to these two candidates, South Carolina’s Conservative Future previously endorsed 13 candidates. Previous endorsements can be found here . South Carolina’s Conservative Future has already contacted more than 30,000 voters in key House and Senate districts and will continue targeted voter contact strategies through Election Day. The organization will only support Republicans who maintain a conservative record on key issues like limited government, expanding economic opportunity, and protecting life.

NEXT ROUND OF ENDORSEMENTS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA’S CONSERVATIVE FUTURE

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 14:50:32 GMT

GREENVILLE, SC – South Carolina’s Conservative Future endorsed four candidates for the state legislature Tuesday. The organization, founded by businessman John Warren, has committed to endorsing and supporting state legislative candidates who are conservative, capable, and courageous.

The endorsements include:

Billy Garrett, Senate District 10 – Abbeville, Greenwood, McCormick, and Saluda Counties
Representative Ashley Trantham, District 28 – Greenville County
Chris Smith, Senate District 26 – Aiken, Calhoun, Lexington, and Saluda Counties

In announcing the endorsements, Warren said, “Holding the government accountable to the taxpayers must be a top priority for state legislators. Re-electing Ashley Trantham to the House of Representatives and electing Billy Garrett and Chris Smith to the Senate will send an important message: the taxpayers expect conservative leadership and accountability for every tax dollar spent.”

In addition to these three candidates, South Carolina’s Conservative Future previously endorsed 10 candidates. Previous endorsements can be found here . South Carolina’s Conservative Future will utilize robust voter contact strategies through independent expenditures in support of endorsed candidates, including direct mail, digital advertising, and ground operations. The organization will only support Republicans who maintain a conservative record on key issues like limited government, expanding economic opportunity, and protecting life.

FOUR MORE LEGISLATIVE ENDORSEMENTS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA’S CONSERVATIVE FUTURE

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 18:46:25 GMT

GREENVILLE, SC – South Carolina’s Conservative Future endorsed four candidates for the state legislature Thursday. The organization, founded by businessman John Warren, has committed to endorsing and supporting state legislative candidates who are conservative, capable, and courageous.

The endorsements include:

Joe Bustos, House District 112 – Charleston County
Senator Chip Campsen, District 43 – Beaufort, Charleston, and Colleton Counties
Representative Patrick Haddon, District 19 – Greenville County
Michael Johnson, Senate District 16 – Lancaster and York Counties

In announcing the endorsements, Warren said, “South Carolina’s Conservative Future is working to elect and re-elect leaders who will fight for taxpayers. Re-electing Chip Campsen and Patrick Haddon, and sending Michael Johnson and Joe Bustos, to the state legislature will be a victory for fiscal conservatism and economic growth.”

In addition to these four candidates, South Carolina’s Conservative Future previously endorsed six candidates. Previous endorsements can be found here . South Carolina’s Conservative Future will utilize robust voter contact strategies through independent expenditures in support of endorsed candidates, including direct mail, digital advertising, and ground operations. The organization will only support Republicans who maintain a conservative record on key issues like limited government, expanding economic opportunity, and protecting life.

SOUTH CAROLINA’S CONSERVATIVE FUTURE ANNOUNCES STATE SENATE ENDORSEMENTS

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 12:48:57 GMT

GREENVILLE, SC – South Carolina’s Conservative Future endorsed three candidates for the state senate Tuesday. The organization, founded by businessman John Warren, has committed to endorsing state legislative candidates who are conservative, capable, and courageous.

The endorsements include:

Senator Wes Climer, District 15, York County
Josh Kimbrell, District 11, Spartanburg County
Brian Adams, District 44, Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties

In announcing the endorsements, Warren said, “The state senate needs more strong conservatives who will hold government accountable to the taxpayers. Re-electing Wes Climer, and sending Josh Kimbrell and Brian Adams, to the senate is critical.”

Warren continued, “During his four years in office, Wes has been a leader in fighting for accountability, transparency, and conservative policy. I am confident that when they are elected, Josh and Brian will also stand on conservative principles.”

This is the second round of endorsements from South Carolina’s Conservative Future. Previous endorsements can be found here . South Carolina’s Conservative Future will utilize robust voter contact strategies through independent expenditures in support of endorsed candidates, including direct mail, digital advertising, and ground operations. The organization only support Republicans who maintain a conservative record on key issues like limited government, expanding economic opportunity, and protecting life.

SOUTH CAROLINA’S CONSERVATIVE FUTURE ANNOUNCES FIRST ROUND OF ENDORSEMENTS

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 14:02:31 GMT

GREENVILLE, SC – South Carolina’s Conservative Future endorsed three candidates for the state legislature Tuesday. The organization, founded by businessman John Warren in August, has committed to endorsing candidates who are conservative, capable, and courageous.

The first round of endorsements include:

Candidates for State Representative:

Adam Morgan, District 20, Greenville County
Sandy McGarry, District 44, Lancaster County
Jordan Pace, District 117, Berkeley and Charleston Counties

In announcing the endorsements, Warren said, “We are proud to endorse strong conservatives like Adam Morgan, Sandy McGarry, and Jordan Pace for the state house.”

Warren continued, “Adam has shown incredible courage as a current state representative in fighting for taxpayers and we need more leaders like him. I know Jordan and Sandy will serve the people of South Carolina well and protect our conservative values in the state legislature.”

This is the first round of endorsements from South Carolina’s Conservative Future. In the coming weeks, the organization will announce additional endorsements for state and local candidates. South Carolina’s Conservative Future will only support Republicans who maintain a conservative record on key issues like limited government, expanding economic opportunity, and protecting life.

Announcing the First Grassroots Leaders Update Call

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 19:13:12 GMT

Overwhelming

Friends -

The response to the launch of South Carolina's Conservative Future has been overwhelming! Thousands of South Carolinians have signed up, watched our video, and volunteered to be a part of the movement to drive conservative reform at the state level. And we're just getting started!

Starting this week, we are launching a new radio ad - running on stations across South Carolina - to encourage more people to join South Carolina's Conservative Future. You can listen to it here:

Finally, if you have signed up on the South Carolina's Conservative Future website, you have received our Grassroots Action Kit. In this document, we provide resources on how you can help grow the conservative movement. We will be launching a grassroots leaders update call several times each month to provide updates and make sure you have the latest information on South Carolina's Conservative Future. This week's call will be:

Thursday, August 27

4:00-4:30 PM

You can register to attend here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpdOGrrzkoEta142FpTe84M1UsLIll1R5v

Thank you for your continued work to grow the conservative movement in South Carolina!

John

SC businessman launches, funds conservative statewide PAC

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 23:28:37 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — John Warren, the businessman who nearly bested South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster for the GOP nomination two years ago, is launching a political action committee that could ultimately serve as the springboard for another effort to oust the incumbent, should Warren opt to run again.

“Although I lost the primary, I still love South Carolina,” Warren told The Associated Press on Monday, a day ahead of the group’s official launch. “In talking to a lot of people and analyzing the landscape politically, business, higher education system, I really felt like South Carolina’s Conservative Future was the way to really effect positive change for all of South Carolina.”

Warren, 41, said the political action committee would focus on several areas, among them developing a grassroots network “to really engage and create change, and not just attend meetings.” Warren said the group will look to recruit and support “conservative, capable and courageous” candidates for state House and Senate races. He added it would seek to make independent expenditures to further those campaigns, starting with this fall’s general elections.

In planning stages for six months, Warren said, the effort is based on the “conservative reform movement” he posited during the 2018 campaign, when he said he was committed to creating such an organization “to advance conservative policy,” had he been elected.

That year, Warren — a multi-millionaire who served in the Marines and went on to found a successful Greenville mortgage company — went from political anonymity to the second-place finisher in a four-way GOP gubernatorial primary, forcing McMaster into a contentious runoff. That sprint toward the nomination included a last-minute trip from President Donald Trump to campaign on behalf of McMaster, who as lieutenant governor had been the first statewide-elected politician in the country to back his 2016 White House bid.

The primary and its ensuing runoff tested the heft of Trump’s endorsement in South Carolina, where McMaster became governor in early 2016 following Nikki Haley’s departure to serve as U.N. ambassador. With Haley’s early exit, McMaster was elevated to the governorship he’d long sought when the president-elect cleared his path.

In office for more than a year by 2018, McMaster ran as an unelected incumbent, touting economic development and championing issues aligned with the president’s priorities, such as restricting funding for groups affiliated with abortions.

Entering the race just months before the primary, Warren finished second in a four-way contest, ultimately netting the endorsements of two Republican rivals and hitting McMaster on his ties to political consultants caught up in a wide-ranging Statehouse corruption probe. Warren also put more than $3 million of his own funds toward his coffers, ultimately losing the nomination by less than 8 percentage points.

With Republicans in control of South Carolina’s Legislature, as well as the Governor’s Mansion and all statewide-elected offices, Warren said Monday that new voices are needed within the GOP to move the state forward, recalling recent legislative stalemates.

“As a conservative Republican, I say this — the only party to really blame for stagnation is the Republican Party in South Carolina,” he told AP. “So if things don’t get done, it’s because the Republican Party is failing to enact that, and that’s why I think it’s so important to have an outside conservative organization that actually wants to support the Republican platform and get these reforms through.”

Warren said the “very well-funded” group would have a statewide presence and be headquartered in Greenville. Asked if the committee was a launch point for a 2022 effort of his own, Warren demurred on a future campaign but said he anticipated the group would have influence beyond November.

“I’ve made no decisions on 2022, but I think what is clear, I want to serve the people of South Carolina and right at this. moment, South Carolina’s Conservative Future is the best way for me to do that.”

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP

A note from John

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 20:42:10 GMT

Friends –

It has been a tough year for our state. The coronavirus has shocked our economy and resulted in lost jobs, riots have threatened our safety, and now, parents across South Carolina are worried about whether or not their children can go back to school. But despite these challenges, I know that our states’ future is bright. Even our state motto conveys relentless optimism: While I Breathe, I Hope.

I am optimistic about the future of South Carolina, because I have confidence in our people. We are God-fearing, hard-working and determined. And I believe that our government should reflect those values.

That’s why I am thrilled to announce the launch of South Carolina’s Conservative Future, an organization that will help empower leaders to enact conservative reforms. SCCF will focus on advancing freedom, economic opportunity, and accountability at the state level through policy advocacy, empowering grassroots leaders to support reforms, and direct electoral engagement.

Far too often, Republicans get elected to office and then fail to uphold the conservative values they promised to protect. SCCF will work to fix that problem by supporting conservative, courageous, and capable Republicans in order to protect life and liberty, advance economic opportunity, and provide accountability to taxpayers.

My hope is that the launch of South Carolina’s Conservative Future is just the beginning of a new conservative reform movement. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for exciting updates about our work and make sure to sign up to be part of the team here.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Semper Fi,

John

John Warren Launches South Carolina's Conservative Future

taylor@lockedonstrategies.com (Taylor Hall) — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 20:36:59 GMT

GREENVILLE, SC – Greenville businessman John Warren announced the launch of a new statewide organization in a video Tuesday.

The organization, South Carolina’s Conservative Future, will focus on advancing freedom, economic opportunity, and accountability at the state level by elevating conservative policy solutions, empowering grassroots leaders, and direct electoral engagement.

Warren, who will serve as honorary chairman of the organization, said, “We need common- sense, conservative solutions at the state level. The taxpayers of South Carolina deserve nothing less. That’s why I’m excited to launch South Carolina’s Conservative Future.”

The organization will engage in four key areas:

Defining, shaping, and advocating for key issues and reforms
Empowering grassroots leaders to engage and create true change
Supporting conservative, capable, and courageous Republicans through direct electoral
engagement
Recruiting and training conservatives to offer their candidacy for office

“Our goal is to re-energize the conservative movement to drive good policy and support principled candidates. We want South Carolina’s Conservative Future to be a place where conservatives can get involved in making our state better for our children and grandchildren,” Warren said. “We have to rekindle the optimism and enthusiasm for reform in our state.”

The organization will announce a board of advisors in the coming weeks and will engage in state legislative races for the 2020 general election. South Carolina’s Conservative Future will support Republicans who maintain a strong record on key issues like limited government, expanding economic opportunity, and protecting life.

South Carolina’s Conservative Future was founded by John Warren to enact common-sense, conservative reforms at the state level in order to advance freedom, economic opportunity, and government accountability on behalf of every citizen and taxpayer. Learn more at www.scconservativefuture.com.