5 Things That Happened In SC Politics This Week: Runoffs, Robocalls, And Right-Wing Democrats?

Just because the legislature is out doesn't mean the fun stops!

1. Time for some reelection campaignin'!

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Gov. Nikki Haley did not issue any vetoes this week, meaning that it appears the legislature is now officially adjourned for the rest of the year.

Don't worry though. This is South Carolina. Of course the fun continues even when the Statehouse is empty...

2. "Doggedly" pursuing victory

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There were still three statewide elections that needed to be settled on Tuesday. No candidate had gotten at least 50 percent of the vote back in the June 10 primaries for Republican lieutenant governor and both parties' education superintendent nominations. State law requires a runoff, which was held on Tuesday.

Former attorney general Henry McMaster nearly clinched the GOP's Lt. Gov. nomination two weeks ago after leading Columbia investment manager Mike Campbell by 20 percentage points. Despite this, Campbell soldiered on hoping for a miracle late surge.

He didn't get it. McMaster ended up clobbering Campbell by 28 points.

The race was clearly over so early that reporters covering his victory party seemed to be more interested in McMaster's family bulldog "Boots" by the time the final results were announced.

Can you blame us? I mean WOOK AT DA WIDDLE BOY!

Boots had a prominent role in McMaster's campaign, as the former attorney general played up his "watchdog" role in TV ads (without really explaining how the largely-ceremonial post of lieutenant governor could be a "watchdog").

On Tuesday, McMaster joked Boots had been the campaign's "secret weapon."

"We put him in the ad and he performed better than anybody else," he said.

McMaster will face Democratic State Rep. Bakari Sellers of Bamberg County in the general election this fall.

3. And it will probably happen during dinner

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A federal judge has ruled that South Carolina's ban on political "robo-calls" is unconstitutional.

You know these calls:

(phone rings)

YOU: "Hello?"

ROBO-CALL: (click) "Hi, I'm Candidate SoAndso.

YOU: (thrilled) "Hi, Candidate SoAndso."

ROBO-CALL: (continuing uninterrupted) "...because your vote is important on Election Day..."

YOU: "Aw, %&*%$! It's a recording."

ROBO-CALL: "But know that, if elected, I will look out for the taxpayer's interests..."

YOU: "That's the fifth time today!!"

ROBO-CALL: "And my opponent does terrible things that should disqualify him/her from office..."

YOU: "I'm on the Do-Not-Call registry! STOP CALLING ME!!!!!"

4. Safe to say he's a true "conservative Democrat"

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Ah, South Carolina. Where a man just won the DEMOCRATIC primary to challenge Republican Congressman Joe "You Lie" Wilson... by running to the RIGHT of Joe "You Lie" Wilson.

The Columbia Free Times alt-weekly noted Wednesday that Barnwell hardware store owner Phil Black won the June 10 Democratic Party primary over a more establishment-friendly candidate despite raising no money and having no campaign staff.

Black has previously challenged Wilson three times in the Republican primary, but decided to switch things up in 2014. But he didn't really change his positions on abolishing the Federal Reserve, returning to the gold standard, eliminating the Department of Education, and requiring students to wear uniforms in school -- hardly Democratic positions (nor Wilson's).

It was a bit of an "egg on your face" moment for SC Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison, who admitted he hadn't been involved in the race (Wilson will almost certainly cruise to victory in the right-leaning district this November) beyond establishing that Black had no criminal record. Alvin Greene, anyone?

5. Courtroom drama

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The ongoing legal fight between House Speaker Bobby Harrell and Attorney General Alan Wilson was back in the news yet again this week. Attorneys representing both men argued their positions in front of the state Supreme Court on Tuesday.

For those of you who may not know the background (Where have you been? Seriously, this has been going on for, like, 7 months now): Harrell is arguing that an ethics complaint against him is not criminal and belongs in the House Ethics Committee. Wilson argues the complaint is so criminal and should be investigated by the State Grand Jury.

The Supreme Court justices didn't seem to know if the case was criminal or not. The evidence is currently under seal and even Supreme Court judges aren't allowed to see it unless the Grand Jury acts.

For those who have been following all 7 months of back-and-forth between Harrell and Wilson, the same arguments were rehashed in court Tuesday. For reporters, it felt like we'd been here before...

Due to Supreme Court procedures and history, we don't know when a ruling will come.