January 2010

Florence Morning News: Florence mayor endorses gubernatorial candidate Sheheen

Florence Morning News
January 27, 2010

FLORENCE – Florence Mayor Stephen J. Wukela endorsed Sen. Vincent Sheheen’s candidacy for Governor at a campaign event in Florence on Tuesday.

“After eight years of Mark Sanford we need someone who can bring jobs to the people and dignity back to the Governor’s Office,” Wukela said. “Time and again, Sen. Sheheen has proven his willingness to fight for average South Carolinians and that’s the spirit we need leading this state.”

Wukela made his endorsement at an oyster roast he organized to introduce Sen. Sheheen, D-Camden, to Florence County voters.

“Municipal leaders like Mayor Wukela are in the trenches everyday making up for the lack of leadership in Columbia so his constituents don’t have to suffer,” Sheheen said responding to the endorsement. “I am proud to have his support and, with his help, we’ll get this state back on track.”

Sheheen, 37, is from rural Kershaw County and is described as a quiet, cerebral, reserved and politically conservative, according to The State article on his Sheheen for Governor Web site, http://vincentsheheen.com/news. Sheheen is married and has three sons. <!--break-->

Behind the Pine Curtain: Sheheen for Governor hits Florence

from Behind the Pine Curtain Blog

Last night, the Wukela Law Firm hosted an Oyster Roast Meet and Greet for Senator Vincent Sheheen, candidate for the Democratic Nomination for Governor. Over 250 folks braved the cold temperatures to come out and eat oysters and chili, listen to live bluegrass music and meet the leading Democratic candidate to be the next Governor of South Carolina.

Much thanks to Ben Moise Catering for the oyster roasting and chili. Thanks also to Bubba Brunson who also provided chili.

Additional props paid to Marty Driggers and his band for daring the cold to pluck the bluegrass tunes.

With Mayor Wukela's endorsement, Senator Sheheen has now picked up the endorsement of two Mayors from the Sixth Congressional District area of South Carolina, as Charleston Mayor Joe Riley endorsed Senator Sheheen a few weeks ago. Couple that with the recent revelations about the fundraising in this race and we believe Sen. Sheheen is starting to establish himself the front runner for the Democratic nomination. Now, it's still only January and both Dwight Drake and Mullins McLeod have shown they're not conceding anything yet, so we've still got a lot of racing to watch. But we feel Sheheen went a long way to locking down the Pee Dee yesterday.

One key fact about last nights crowd, was the diversity. It was about as even a split between black & white, young & old, and republican & democrat as we've seen. That's a very good sign of a candidate that is reaching across traditional lines.

Additional hosts for the event were Dr. Fred Carter, Dr. Richard N. Chapman, Martin Driggers Sr., Eugene Fallon Jr., Rodney Jernigan Jr., Councilman Al Bradley, Ronald Jebaily, Councilwoman Octavia Williams-Blake & Councilman Waymon Mumford.<!--break-->

Behind the Pine Curtain: Sheheen for Governor hits Florence

from Behind the Pine Curtain Blog

Last night, the Wukela Law Firm hosted an Oyster Roast Meet and Greet for Senator Vincent Sheheen, candidate for the Democratic Nomination for Governor. Over 250 folks braved the cold temperatures to come out and eat oysters and chili, listen to live bluegrass music and meet the leading Democratic candidate to be the next Governor of South Carolina.

Much thanks to Ben Moise Catering for the oyster roasting and chili. Thanks also to Bubba Brunson who also provided chili.

Additional props paid to Marty Driggers and his band for daring the cold to pluck the bluegrass tunes.

With Mayor Wukela's endorsement, Senator Sheheen has now picked up the endorsement of two Mayors from the Sixth Congressional District area of South Carolina, as Charleston Mayor Joe Riley endorsed Senator Sheheen a few weeks ago. Couple that with the recent revelations about the fundraising in this race and we believe Sen. Sheheen is starting to establish himself the front runner for the Democratic nomination. Now, it's still only January and both Dwight Drake and Mullins McLeod have shown they're not conceding anything yet, so we've still got a lot of racing to watch. But we feel Sheheen went a long way to locking down the Pee Dee yesterday.

One key fact about last nights crowd, was the diversity. It was about as even a split between black & white, young & old, and republican & democrat as we've seen. That's a very good sign of a candidate that is reaching across traditional lines.

Additional hosts for the event were Dr. Fred Carter, Dr. Richard N. Chapman, Martin Driggers Sr., Eugene Fallon Jr., Rodney Jernigan Jr., Councilman Al Bradley, Ronald Jebaily, Councilwoman Octavia Williams-Blake & Councilman Waymon Mumford.
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The State: Friendly rivals: Ford, Sheheen share suite, desire to be governor

by Roddie Burris
The State
January 25, 2010

Robert Ford and Vincent Sheheen, two state senators, would seem to have little else in common.

Sheheen, a young white Democrat from rural Kershaw County, is quiet, cerebral, reserved and politically conservative.

Ford, a middle-aged black Democrat from urban Charleston County, is brash, unpredictable, extroverted and politically progressive.

Sheheen, 37, has only attended integrated public schools in South Carolina.

Ford, 61, went to jail more than 30 times fighting against segregation and for African-Americans to have equal rights.

This year, the two men have something new in common - both want to become South Carolina's next governor.

The State: ESC debate set to start in Senate

by Roddie Burris
The State
01/21/10

The Senate cleared a path Wednesday to allow debate on a bill that restructures the Employment Security Commission, but refused to put the legislation on a fast track.

Sen. Phil Leventis, D-Sumter, and Sen. Jake Knotts, R-Lexington, both dropped their objections to the bill, S. 391. The act moves the Workforce Management Act Program from the Department of Commerce and replaces the Employment Security Commission with the Department of Workforce.

Sen. Nikki Setzler, D-Lexington, tried to get the bill placed on special order, giving it a priority slot for debate, but Senate Republicans voted that effort down, 18-23.

"I don't know what we're doing here, but I remind everybody there's one bill on the calendar that deals with jobs and job creation," said Sen. Vincent Sheheen, D-Kershaw, chastising senators for passing over the Employment Security Commission restructuring act.

Op-Ed: Sheheen: Legislative reform key to improving government

by Vincent Sheheen
published in The State
January 19, 2010

The state Senate has a tremendous opportunity today to move our structure of government into the 21st century when a Senate panel takes up the Legislative Reform Act of 2010, S.136.

Charleston City Paper: Riley picks Sheheen for Gov., ready to campaign

Greg Hambrick
Charleston City Paper
January 13, 2010

More important than the endorsement of Charleston Mayor Joe Riley is that he's so damn excited about it.

Riley stood with state Sen. Vincent Sheheen (D-Camden) on Wednesday and announced his support for the gubernatorial candidate. Sheheen is in a five-man primary certain to offer a close race. Votes in the Lowcountry will be important in the primary, and they will be a necessity if a Democrat hopes to win the governor's race in November.

AP: South Carolina Mayor Endorses Sheheen

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - The mayor of a coastal South Carolina city has selected the candidate he would like to see run the state.

Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. is endorsing state Sen. Vincent Sheheen for the Democratic nomination for South Carolina governor. Riley makes a formal endorsement during a news conference in Charleston on Wednesday.

The influential mayor says Sheheen is the candidate South Carolina needs to get back on the right track.

Mayor since 1975, Riley is 1 of the state's leading Democrats in a city with a strong Democratic voter base. Riley, who once ran for governor himself, has served as mayor longer than anyone in Charleston's storied 340-year history.

Four other Democrats and four Republicans are all in the race to succeed GOP Gov. Mark Sanford.

Lancaster News: SC Gubernatorial candidate Vincent Sheheen is making jobs a priority

by Jenny Arnold
Lancaster News
01/11/10

Economic development was on a lot of people’s minds at the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce’s legislative breakfast on Tuesday.

The State: Governor's race shaping up as an Internet campaign

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