DILL, DAVIS PRESENT SERIOUS THREATS TO TWO INCUMBENTS

Tis the season to find out who is for real and who is just bluffing when it comes to running for a Congressional, legislative or local post in this year’s election. Filing for both Republicans and Democrats seeking their party’s nomination in the June 10 primaries began Sunday. Between now and March 30, when filing closes, we will learn the answers to a number of important questions and set the field for June and inevitably November.

Now that I’ve got the boring background stuff out of the way, here’s the good stuff. Over the weekend, a pair of stories leaked regarding two legislative seats — one House and one Senate — that had previously been considered “safe.” Apparently, that isn’t the case anymore.

The biggest news is that Rep. Harry Cato (R-Greenville), who some consider a possible contender to become House Speaker should Bobby Harrell leave office to run for governor, could face a primary challenge from veteran Greenville County Councilman Joe Dill. The craziest part is that Dill told the Greenville News he had obtained polling showing him with a strong lead over Cato.

“According to the survey it wouldn’t be a close race,” Dill told the paper.

Dill said he’s been content with a County Council seat, but “there’s some things that I think I keep being bombarded with about the state that I could change if I had a vote.”

“I’ve had a lot of people on my case trying to get me to run,” he said.

Dill’s Council seat isn’t at stake this year, so he could challenge Cato without having to put it on the line. [DAN HOOVER - Greenville News]

In Beaufort, first-term Senator Catherine Ceips might also face strong opposition. While a number of legislators on the “hit list” will see their challengers backed by the governor’s office, Ceips’ competition might actually be a member of the governor’s office.

The Beaufort Gazette wrote Saturday that Tom Davis is considering stepping down as Gov. Mark Sanford’s chief-of-staff to launch a bid at winning Ceips’ senate seat.

Davis, 47, a partner at downtown Beaufort law firm Harvey and Battey and a key architect of both of Sanford’s gubernatorial campaigns, said Friday he’s “given a lot of thought” to running against Sen. Catherine Ceips for the District 46 Senate seat.

“It’s always been in the back of my mind, it’s always been something I’ve thought about primarily because the approach I have for government is consistent with where I think people in Beaufort County are coming from,” he said. “I think there’s been a loss of focus on what makes us great, which is liberty and the people and their ability to drive the economy.” [IAN LESLIE - Beaufort Gazette]

Winning by six points in last year’s primary runoff, Ceips could certainly be considered vulnerable and Davis could be a very strong candidate. But he could also have an Achilles heal in his involvement in the State Ports Authority. With all of the shady business between Sanford’s office and developers in the sale of Port Royal, any involvement linked to Davis would sink his ship faster than Sanford could sell it off at a no-bid, friends only fire-sale.

And these are only two of the dozens of races that could be very interesting. You know, if you’re into that kind of thing. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

So, with that, take it away Michael Buffer…