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Posted on 03/16/2006 12:14:48 PM PST by Amish
Paul Thurmond, the youngest son of the late U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, said Thursday he will seek the Republican nomination for a seat on the Charleston County Council.
Thurmond, in making the first run for public office by a child of the former senator and governor, said he views the seat as an opportunity to make a difference for the people of Charleston County.
For three years, Thurmond served in the Charleston County Solicitor’s Office before co-founding the Thurmond Kirchner & Timbes law firm.
Thurmond, 30, promised to bring “enthusiasm, optimism and proactive decision-making” to the job and to work tirelessly with County Council to make the county “a better place to live and raise a family.”
Politics always has been in Thurmond’s blood, he said.
“I watched my dad help people. I was exposed like crazy. Because of the position he held, he had the ability to do good things for people. And I want to do the same.”
The District 9 seat Thurmond is seeking is held by council chairman Leon Stavrinakis a Democrat. He is expected to step down and challenge state Rep. John Graham Altman, a Charleston Republican.
The council district includes James Island, Folly Beach, West Ashley, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island.
Thurmond’s decision to run for public office automatically sparked speculation about his political future. The assumption is he is testing the water for higher office.
“When you grow up with the last name Thurmond, politics has to be on your mind,” said Winthrop University political scientist Scott Huffmon. “People are going to look to see what kind of campaigner he is. He has got a big set of shoes to fill.
“With a name like Thurmond, expectations will be high for him. Any benefit he gets from his name will be countered by high expectations. He can’t be just a good campaigner. He has to be phenomenal campaigner like his father.”
Thurmond played down the speculation about his future.
“I need to be able to work hard and get elected. I’m determined to do a good job. And that’s where my priority is right now.
“I don’t know what the future holds.”
Thurmond was born in Greenwood but grew up in Aiken.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and received his law degree from the USC School of Law.
The first elective office held by his father was superintendent of education in Edgefield County beginning in 1929.
Thurmond’s brother, Strom Thurmond Jr., served as U.S. Attorney in South Carolina for three years until January. That office is appointed.
Reach Bandy at (803) 771-8648 or lbandy@thestate.com
No responsible adult would have kids at the age of 70.
I'm sure the kid is happy to be here though. Some parents would have had the kid scooped out by a medical instrument and discarded.
That's a ridiculous claim. Since we're talking about men here, many men do better as fathers at an older age then younger. Thurmond was as healthy and energetic at 70 as most men in their 40s, and it wasn't considered "scandalous" at all in the 1970s.
You could have children in your teens and 20s and not necessarily live to see them to adulthood. My grandmother was 30 when she had my mother and aunt and died of cancer when her children were teens. Thurmond lived long enough to see his kids to adulthood, and sadly, outlived one of his daughters who was killed by a drunk driver. I think his actions were neither irresponsible or disgusting, and neither did most South Carolinians.
Better to have them when you're 70 than 12.
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