Parties and Elections in SC Bob Botsch

The Development of Strong Parties in SC Conditions for strong parties: –Competition with another party (not SC—one party factionalism, Dem and now Rep) –Control over nominations (not SC—primaries) –Control over campaign money (rise of PACs) –Administrative control over bureaucracy through appointments by party leader like governor (not SC—govt mostly by boards and commissions and legislature)

Periods of Party Competition Pre Civil War—two parties, but elite leadership due to malapportionment Reconstruction—temporary Republican Rule ( ) White rebellion—led to “Solid Democratic” South and SC ( ’s)—one party factionalism Post Civil Rights Era (1970s–1980s) before white flight to Republicans completed & before reapportionment after 1990 census

Erosion of Party Competition since 1990 Most whites move to GOP by mid 80s Most Democrats are African-Americans and that gives them too small a base to compete (30% statewide, but about 25% of the vote) Means Dem need 25 points of 70 points (or 35%) of the white vote to win Legislative districts drawn to maximize “minority- majority” districts and thus minimize “minority- influence” districts

Structure of Political Parties in SC Democrats ( Republicans ( Hierarchical structure with: –precincts at bottom, w/chair as minimum –county party organization, organized at annual county conventions, send delegates to state convention –State level has professional organization and state chair and executive director

Sources of Campaign Funds in SC Individual contributions (indirect path for interest groups)—about 60% PAC/corporate/labor contributions—about 25% (more for incumbents) Political parties and committees—about 5- 10% (more for contested races) Personal money—about 5-10% (more for challengers)

Spending of Campaign $ in SC Media, including internet Direct mail (in decline as internet rises) Phone banks Canvassing Polls Professional managers, but most use volunteers except for state-wide offices and competitive legislative races Much emphasis on name recognition, e.g. yard signs and billboards

Differences between Democrats and Republican in SC Affirmative Action Health Care Abortion Sex education Gender roles (ERA) Gay rights Restrictions on firearms Prayer in school School vouchers Environmental protection and global warming Land use planning and regulation Taxes at state and local levels Note on “Tea Party” Republicans—the most conservative of the conservatives

Redistricting since the 1990s Political alliance of convenience between Legislative Black Caucus and Republicans Produced more black majority districts (minority- majority districts) Each new one created two more white majority precincts Losers were white Democrats in particular and Democrats in general and perhaps blacks who live in districts where white Republican legislators can ignore them completely Impact on new 7 th congressional district for 2012

Prospects for Change Younger people less conservative on range of issues, especially social, environmental and educational issues Growing minority population with rise of Hispanic population In-migrants who are less conservative on most issues Problem of attracting high quality candidates How long?