Ravenel Rundown
There are TONS of stories about Ravenel today. Read these and you will get a good idea of what’s going on.
The Shot – yesterday we told you that Senator Greg Ryberg, Former Majority Leader Rick Quinn, and Representative Converse Chellis are all considering running for Treasurer. Representative Nathan Ballentine has been approached by numerous State House leaders and urged to run. We also learned that Ken Wingate is a temporary Interim Treasurer. Sanford appointed him to sign some immediate checks. The Dems attacked Wingate on his ties to confederate groups. Sanford will appoint a different Interim Treasurer in the coming days to fill the position until the General Assembly elects a permanent replacement.
Aiken Standard, Ryberg: I want the job – Ryberg says he wants the job. Also, the General Assembly passed a resolution saying they can come back immediately to vote for a replacement Treasurer. They wont have to wait until they come back in session in January.
The State, Wingate is interim treasurer – Aaron Sheinin confirms most of what we told you. Eckstrom and Leatherman comment on how this could affect state finances.
The State, Sanford should cast wide net for Treasurer – The State comments SLED Chief Stewart and Sanford for a solid appointment in Ken Wingate. The strongly suggest Sanford appointing and the General Assembly electing Greg Ryberg as Treasurer.
The State, Ravenel quiet after indictment – Sheinin says that Ravenel hasn’t made any comments about the charges.
GV News, Ravenel’s accused supplier faces trafficking charge – Tim Smith goes into detail in Michael Miller’s arrest and how Ravenel got involved.
GV News, Wingate named interim treasurer – Dan Hoover writes about the fight to fill the position. Harrell says there will be a review of the office to assure everything is fine. Barry Wynn replaces Ravenel as Rudy’s state chair. Fair and Martin say Ryberg has a lock on the Senate. Cato says Chellis leads in the House. Haskins says she will be Quinn. Hoover writes:
“Although Ryberg is one of Sanford’s closest allies in the Senate, Sawyer said no one except Wingate was offered the interim post.
Because of the House’s voting power and each chamber’s tendency for vote for its own, an interim appointment for Ryberg would have forced him to give up his Senate seat without any assurance of attaining the office he sought last year.”
GV News, Ravenel’s indictment shows need for change – Editorial saying this is why we should restructure state government and the Governor should appoint most constitutional officers.
GV News, What was Ravenel doing in the Treasurer’s Office? – Beth Padgett blogs that this should have never happened because Greg Ryberg should have been elected.
GV News, What did Ravenel know? – Hoover blogs that Ravenel may have known something was going down because he told Rudy’s camp that he wouldn’t be very involved.
GV News, Why does SC have such rotten leaders? – Paul Hyde points out the actions of Ravenel, Sharpe, Bauer, and Eckstrom.
P&C – Feds joined Ravenel cocaine case in April – Summary of everything else. Points out that SLED called Feds in April. Acknowledges impact on family and what could have been a challenge to Graham in 2008.
SHJ - Ravenel creates ’speed bump’ for state Republicans - Jason Spencer summarizes incident. Gives The Shot a shout out. Rick Beltam having trouble sleeping.