Dirty Tricks in Davenport Vs. Parker Race

One of the more interesting political contests in South Carolina this year is that between S.C. House Representative Ralph Davenport (R-House District 37 in Spartanburg County) and challenger Steve Parker. The GOP primary to chose one of these to run against the Democrat in November takes place this coming Tuesday.

During the last GOP primary two years ago, Parker came to within 9 votes of beating Davenport. Many observers believe that this year he will go over the top and unseat the incumbent.

But Davenport will not go without a fight. Reports of dirty tricks have surfaced as well. An environmentalist group, claiming not to be affiliated in any way with Davenport, falsely accused Parker of unlawfully dumping paint into a stream behind his home, contaminating the water and property downstream.

An investigation ensued which showed no evidence that Parker had done such a thing.

Davenport has raised the ire of many of his constituents over his support for reducing the number of school districts in Spartanburg County from 7 to 1. Originally Davenport proposed 4 districts but withdrew that proposal only a few weeks after rolling it out. It was then discovered that the legislature and the Governor want only one mammoth school district encompassing the whole of Spartanburg County.

Parker has been on the frontline of the opposition to this scheme from the start. For more details of the this issue, along with pertinent commentary, click here to go to The Liberty Sphere:
http://thelibertysphere.blogspot.com/2008/06/parker-vs-davenport-riveting-race-in-sc.html