EXCLUSIVE: Elizabeth Colbert-Busch is Running for Congress
Entry sure to bring even greater interest to an already-compelling race.
COLUMBIA, SC -- Patch has confirmed that Elizabeth Colbert-Busch, the sister of comedian Stephen Colbert, will seek the Democratic nomination for the First Congressional District.
She will file her candidacy papers on Tuesday according Amanda Loveday, Executive Director of the South Carolina Democratic Party.
Colbert-Busch is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Clemson University’s Wind Turbine Drivetrain Testing Facility. Previously, she was the Director of Business Development for Clemson University’s Restoration Institute. The Mount Pleasant resident has three children and two grandchildren and deep ties to the Lowcountry. This will be her first foray into public life.
Based on name recognition and her ability to compete financially, Colbert-Busch’s entry gives the Democrats a chance to win a House seat that has long been Republican. It gave Mitt Romney 58 percent of its vote last November. The filing period begins today and lasts until Jan. 28.
Including Colbert-Busch, seven Republicans and three Democrats have confirmed plans to run for the seat made vacant by Tim Scott’s appointment to the Senate. As of Friday morning, they are:
- Former Gov. Mark Sanford (R)
- Former State Sen. John Kuhn (R)
- Teddy Turner (R)
- Sen. Larry Grooms (R-37)
- Rep. Andy Patrick (R-123)
- Rep. Chip Limehouse (R-110)
- Former Dorchester Co. Sheriff Ray Nash
- Bobbie Rose (D)
- Martin Skelly (D)
Sanford is the early favorite on the Republican side, but Republican insiders have told Patch they’re not sure he’s ready for the public stage so soon after the scandal that ended his marriage and forced him to repay the state of South Carolina more than $70,000. Should Sanford survive and emerge as the Republican nominee, the prospect of him squaring off against Colbert-Busch in a general election is sure to be riveting and will no doubt receive national attention.
Stephen Colbert raised hundreds of thousands of dollars via his own Super PAC for his own faux political aspirations. Speculation is already rampant as to whether or not Colbert will ramp up the Super PAC for his sister or appear in SC1 on her behalf.
The news rippled through the Palmetto State. Longtime political consultant Chip Felkel said, "The seat leans to the GOP and will likely remain so, but given her brother's celebrity, and her likely ability to capitilize on that in raising cash, it might mean the Democrats can be competitive. That said, it means that if GOP voters are serious about keeping the seat, they need to nominate a candidate who can weather a barrage of outside money in the general election."
Important Dates for the SC 1 Race:
- Jan. 18 - Filing period opens and ends at noon on Jan. 28.
- Feb. 16 - Last day to register to vote in primary.
- April 6 - Last day to register to vote in general election.
- March 19 - Primary Election Day.
- April 2 - Run-off from primary. Top two finishers from primary in the event no one candidate receives 50 percent plus one of the total vote.
- May 7 - General Election Day.
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Cold War Vet
7:43 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
A comedian's sister. Sure. Why not? We don't have nearly enough comedians in office or running for office. Might as well have one more.
Mermaiden
12:03 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
What a silly comment. She is not a comedian, did you read the article?
Ajay Jain
7:05 pm on Sunday, May 5, 2013
Watch the ONLY debate between Elizabeth Colbert Busch and Mark Sanford and decide who to vote for!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpPy5u7EszM
Ambassador
7:43 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Greater interest? Are you kidding? Nothing like having to look at her conceited, self-congratulatory, unfunny, pencil-necked geek, whateveryacallhim husband.
Cookies Mom
10:14 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
It worked for Slick Willy and his broomstick-shoved, no cookie baker, large junk in the trunk, stand by your cheater wife!
Mermaiden
12:04 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
WHAT? Why are you attacking this woman's husband? You don't know what you're talking about. Typical hater.
Robert Kelly
4:16 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Ambassador and Cookies Mom (very cute names, by the way),
I can't imagine what this woman and her husband (?) must have done to you to inspire such vitriol! Most of us do not know these people on a personal level, but obviously they have hurt you terribly. Perhaps you should get some counseling to deal with the hurt and anger you harbor toward them. Maybe you could press charges against them for the hurts they inflicted upon you? Would that help you to get closure? I feel bad for you and I hope you find peace.
Terri Unknown
7:43 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Good for her! She'll be great! Hope she wins the seat!
Mermaiden
5:04 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Congrats!! Sounds like you're as brilliant as your baby bro.......btw......I come from a family of ELEVEN. We may move to that area just so we can vote for you. Best of luck, WE NEED PEOPLE WHO CARE.
ONDASH2O
5:04 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
IF SOUTH CAROLINA TURNS YOU DOWN WE ARE WELCOMING YOU TO THE STATE OF DISFUNCTION.. I MEAN FLORIDA!
Pam
5:40 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
That's great! She sounds like a smart lady. Her brother is a genuis. I'm sure she'd be a real asset to South Carolina - but, then again, it IS South Carolina, so....?? I hope she does very well.
Jay Bennett
5:43 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
I can't stop laughing; this is a joke, right. Maybe she can use some of her brother's money. I can't stop laughing.
ReadIt
6:29 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
The Colbert family has done more for this state than most people realize. Stephen just got more camera time than the rest of them. I'll have to see where she stands specifically on the issues, but she's a great candidate to begin with! If only I still lived down there...
Linda Lilley Price
6:04 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
She is awesome and will do a great job. She has always excelled in everything she has done and has a wonderful personality to go along with the position. She knows she has a special place in my heart!!!! Love you LuLu and you have my vote!!!!
Suzella
6:04 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Laugh all you want. This smart lady is a serious contender.
peggy vannoy
7:05 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
If she's anything like her brother, She must be terrific. Sorry that I live in Indiana and won't be able to vote for her. Best of luck!
peggy vannoy
7:07 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Go for it!
SKIP HOLMAN
7:54 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Steve Colbert is one of the least funniest people I have ever heard or seen. John Stewart was an funny poor actor before he got the gig on Comedy Central. Check out Adam Sandler's movies. The only reason people think their funny is because the politics are left leaning. REBUTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shripathi Kamath
9:30 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
I agree. Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity are much funnier.
Mike Slattery
9:40 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Ever heard of spell check?
Idunno
9:55 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
You seriously need to go to sixth grade English classes.
Mermaiden
11:49 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013
It's Jon not John. The only reason you like AS, some funny movies, but mostly recycled TRASH.......is "because the politics are right leaning." Another grammar error, get your pronouns straight.........it's not "their" funny, it the contraction, they're. Goober, best go back to school.
reg
5:24 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Well, Skip, Steve Colbert ain't running.
Carol Justus
8:42 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
If the republicans do not take her serious and put up a viable candidate with the backing of a lot of money they may get a surprise. She will be competitive even if she loses and begin some change in the Palmetto state!!
Cookies Mom
10:19 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
She is to be judged on her own merits, as should every candidate be judged. We don't need to know anything about Sanford's wife (now ex-wife) to know that he is a liar, a cheat, and a truant on the taxpayer's dime. It is ignorant and sexist to judge this candidate based on her brother or her husband or her 2nd cousin twice removed. Frankly, I will vote for anybody other than Sanford and Alvin Greene!
reg
5:25 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Amen.
van crause
11:24 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Mark Sanford is the most qualified hands down................
Mermaiden
11:57 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013
NO....disagree with you, hands down. He is not qualified, but he's a good crier, and such. Need someone who will actually DO THE JOB.
reg
5:26 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Mark Sanford is the most qualified for billing taxpayers for his extramarital affair.
monica
7:44 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Look, the Republicans had an actor for president and he turned out ok, but this lady will probably prove to be a great leader for the people of SC. You go girl!
avasmom
9:25 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Why are you assuming her only qualification is being Colbert's sister? I've heard her speak and she is SUPER sharp- very competent and head and shoulders more electable than Sanford. And she's far less likely to "hike the Appalachians"!
Bob Rogers
12:56 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
While Mitt Romney might have won 56% of the State. In the District 1, which Ms Colbert-Busch will be competing in, Democrats (Obama) won the Presidential Election 50.4% to 48%. Charleston is one of the more stalwart Democrat races to compete in. The Voters are open-minded and resent how the Republican Congress has done its job.
For example, the Republican Legislators just voted enmass against Sandy Storm relief. What if Charleston needs relief after this storm season, don't you think Northeastern Legislators will remember who helped them? The best answer would be to elect Ms. Colbert-Busch who should then stay as far away from her fellow Republican Legislators as possible.
Bruce Marshall
1:12 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
@Bob, THANK YOU! Those are the data that really matter; there is no reason that a competent Democratic candidate cannot win in District #1. It sounds as if the Democrats have found on in Mrs. Colbert-Busch. We wish her well.
Ambassador
2:24 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
The idea that I have to look at the face and listen to the pretentious crap of her brother is enough to make me yada yada.
Shawn Drury
5:48 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Bob,
As I stated in the other article your information is incorrect. My source is the SC Election Commission:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0Av8O-dN2giY6dEFCOFZ4ZnlKS0x3M3Y0WHd5aWFDWkE&single=true&gid=0&output=html
You appear to be looking only at Charleston County, where Obama did in fact defeat Romney by a margin of 50.4 to 48 percent. See this link:
http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/statesub.php?off=0&year=2012&elect=0&evt=S&f=0&fips=45019&submit=Retrieve
Unfortunately for the Democrats, Congressional District One includes far more than Charleston County. See a map here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/SC/1
In 2012, Romney received 58.3 percent of the vote (to Barack Obama's 40.2) in Congressional District One. The district is even more conservative since 2008 when it went for John McCain 56.1-42.7. But that shouldn't surprise anyone since the district lines were re-drawn in 2010 and when re-districting occurs it's in favor of the incumbency.
Ambassador
2:21 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
Is anyone left who cares about the job they are doing instead of looking for their next big payday, ego-booster, retirement package and health care supreme. Please do not tell me their efforts are "for the people". Everyone is this excuse for a federal government has already told us they are there "for the people"--that is why they cannot even pass a budget and stop this country from going into the toilet as they worry about the definition of the words assault, magazine, rifle, and weapon..
Linda Daniels
5:04 pm on Monday, January 21, 2013
Any sister of Stephen's is a good candidate! She will do well on her own merits! Congratulations.