SHJ: Mike Forrester to Run for Talley’s Seat
Bob Dalton of the SHJ is reporting that Mike Forrester will run for Scott Talley’s House seat. Talley is running to replace John Hawkins in the State Senate.
Forrester campaigns for Talley’s House seat
By Robert W. Dalton
Published: Saturday, December 15, 2007Mike Forrester says he’s had enough of people constantly running down his home state.
“I’m tired of hearing everyone concentrate only on South Carolina’s problems,” Forrester said. “It’s time to stop complaining and start doing the hard work it’s going to take to find solutions.”
To that end, Forrester said Friday he will seek the Republican nomination for the state House District 34 seat. Rep. Scott Talley, R-Moore, now holds the seat, but he is running for the state Senate rather than seeking re-election.
Forrester, 56, said immigration reform, improving education, imposing spending limits and reducing taxes would be among his priorities. He said he would provide in-depth proposals after the state’s presidential primaries in January.
Forrester, a native of Spartanburg County, spent 28 years with Piedmont Natural Gas. He retired as the company’s vice president of operations in June 2006.
His retirement lasted about four months. Forrester then went to work for Spartanburg Community College as its director of economic development.
Spartanburg County Republican Party Chairman Rick Beltram said Forrester would be an ideal candidate.
“I’ve known Mike Forrester for a very long time from his being involved with Piedmont Natural Gas,” Beltram said. “He’s one of the few candidates who has worked with the Legislature, so he knows the system and what to do.”
Beltram, however, said he doesn’t expect Forrester to be the only candidate.
“I would expect that in that very Republican area, we’re going to wind up with some kind of primary before it’s all over,” Beltram said.
County Democratic Party Chairwoman Liz Patterson said it’s “quite possible” a Democrat will go after the open seat. She doesn’t believe Forrester is a lock to win the seat even though the district votes heavily Republican.
“I don’t think you can call any area too Republican given the current climate,” Patterson said. “We’re hearing from a lot of people who are tired of nothing getting done even though things are so lopsided with a Republican House, Republican Senate and Republican governor.”
Forrester said whether he has opposition or not, he plans to canvass the district looking for ideas.
“I want to get out and find out what the major concerns are,” Forrester said. “That’s the only way to find out what the needs are and represent the people of the district.”