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
What is he....60?
It's in the article. He's 30. Ol' Strom had a whole new family with his much younger second wife.
How old was the old man when this son was born?
He also had an illegitimate daughter. I don't think she's young though.
Only 30.
Yes, it was sarcasm
Great...this kid won't be retiring from politics until The Tri-centennial.
Fathering a son at 70, and living until he was nearly 30.
Amazing.
That was his first child, the one he had with his family's black maid. In 1968 he married Nancy Moore (b.1946), and had four children with her from 1971 to 1976. His nickname wasn't "Sperm Thurmond" for nothing.
Good old strom was in his 70s when he had his youngest. God Bless him
Geeze...I'll consider myself lucky if I can get myself up out of the chair when I'm 70!
He was a fascinating guy actually, kept good care of himself stayed away from alcohol and was into exercising. apparently clean living pays off.
Anna Nicole?
Nancy Moore, a former Miss South Carolina.
There is about a 50 year gap between Strom Thurmond's oldest daughter (by the black maid) and his youngest son.
What a weird man. Disgusting.
That's uncalled for. FYI, Thurmond was previously married in the '40s when he was Governor, and no doubt was planning to have children with his wife when she died on him not long after. It was quite awhile before he remarried.
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