Politics & Government

Kimpson: Fighting for the Democrats

Kimpson says he's the only real Democrat left in the Senate 42 race.

Marlon Kimpson says he's the only true Democrat left in the race for the S.C. Senate 42 seat left vacant by former State Sen. Robert Ford's resignation.

Kimpson emerged with a commanding share of Tuesday's Democratic Primary vote, but he fell short of the 50 percent required to avoid a runoff.

He'll face Maurice Washington in an Aug. 27 runoff, but many party insiders question whether Washington is a true Democrat. Kimpson left no doubt about where he stands on the issues during his Tuesday victory party.

"Mr. Washington has said he is going to start negotiating with the other side," Kimpson said. "I am going to the General Assembly to fight for the Democrats, to caucus with the Democrats. I am a Democrat, and District 42 is a Democratic seat."

Kimpson said he stands with organized labor, will fight to expand Medicare so that more South Carolinians will get health coverage under Obamacare, and he said he opposes vouchers that he believes will be harmful to public schools.

Washington, at his campaign celebration, addressed the party affiliation question, but said he simply "isn't partisan," and admitted he's running against Democrats who'd rather not see him on the ballot. Read more.

Kimpson, a Charleston attorney, said he'll campaign on the same platform that's brought him this far in the race.

"We are focused on our message: Public education, healthcare for all and fighting for equal opportunity and rights for all, creating good jobs," Kimpson said. "We have to keep this seat a Democratic Party seat, and I am the Democratic Party candidate."

Either Washington or Kimpson will face Republican Bill Shuman in the Oct. 1. general election. The district includes parts of Charleston and Dorchester counties.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Charleston