BARNWELL – As US Congressman Tom Rice prepares to fight for his political life after voting for the impeachment of former President Donald Trump, the Republican from Myrtle Beach may have to do so without a particularly vigorous defense from some of his longtime friends in Congress.
The Post and Post asked all seven other Republicans in the South Carolina Congressional delegation what they thought of Rice’s impeachment vote, whether they thought the SC GOP executive committee’s decision to censor him was appropriate and whether they would support him in a Republican primary contest next year.
Most of them praised Rice’s overall record in Congress, but none criticized the censorship, and only one – US Deputy Joe Wilson of Springdale – was willing to say, at this early stage, that he would support Rice against primary opponents.
The only member who did not respond was US deputy Jeff Duncan of Laurens.
The responses underscore the politically dangerous situation that Rice now finds herself in after becoming one of only 10 Republican members of the House to vote for impeachment, as well as Trump’s enduring influence over Republican voters and their elected officials.
“In normal times, members of a delegation support their co-supporters when they run for re-election,” said Jordan Ragusa, a professor of political science at the College of Charleston who specializes in Congressional studies. “But these are certainly not normal times.”
Two state lawmakers have already announced that they are looking at possible Republican Party primary campaigns against Rice, and more potential opponents are expected to emerge in the coming weeks.
Ragusa suggested that lawmakers would probably be cautious in criticizing the SC GOP censorship because they would not like to attract the party’s ire.
“For many of these members, they are in districts that are so Republican that the only way to lose is in the primaries, not in the general election,” said Ragusa. “And so, for better or for worse, they have to worry about the base that has the most intense opinions on this type of issue and is more attentive to day-to-day politics.”
Like many other South Carolina political observers, Wilson said he was shocked by Rice’s vote and initially believed it was a mistake. He said he would have liked Rice to have talked to him about it in advance.
But Wilson added that he would encourage voters in Rice’s Pee Dee district to consider the fact that, in addition to impeachment, Rice has one of the most pro-Trump records in Congress and helped promote what Trump considered one of his characteristic legislative achievements. , a comprehensive tax review.
“I totally disagree with what he did, but he is a wonderful person,” said Wilson. “I would like to look at his voting record. There may be a vote that people are opposed to, but look at the entire voting record.”
Most members responded with statements similar to that issued by US Representative William Timmons, R-Greenville, who said he did not agree with Rice on impeachment, but has “enormous respect for him as a fellow legislator and colleague”.
“He has been a valuable and conservative member of the South Carolina delegation for years, and his position on the Pathways and Means Committee has been a great asset for our state,” said Timmons. “Ultimately, the decision on who represents South Carolina’s Seventh Congressional District will be up to (district) voters.”
US Congresswoman Nancy Mace, R-Charleston, said the impeachment resulted from “an unprecedented event” – the disturbances in the United States Capitol that supporters of the impeachment claim Trump has incited – and each member had to come to his own determination on the constitutionality of the process.
“I may disagree with Congressman Rice’s decision on impeachment, but I support his view of limited government and the work he has done for Southern Carolinians over the years,” said Mace.
After working with Rice for years, US Senator Tim Scott’s spokesman Brad Traywick said the senator knows that Rice is “a man of conservative principles”. But Scott disagreed with Rice’s impeachment vote and believes it is up to voters in his district to choose his congressman, Traywick said.
US Senator Lindsey Graham, RS.C., said Rice “has been a great congressman and a valued member of the South Carolina Congressional delegation.”
He did not comment on the censorship or say whether he would support Rice in the primaries. While the primary is still about 16 months away, Rice spoke in support of Graham at his initial 2020 reelection campaign event in Myrtle Beach 14 months before Graham faced three primary Republican opponents.
US Congressman Ralph Norman’s spokesman Austin Livingston said that while Rock Hill Republican “obviously has a different view on impeachment, he knows that Mr Rice is a solid conservative in the House and a very strong advocate for policies. President Trump over the past four years. “
“Both Rep. Rice and the SC GOP Executive Committee have done an incredible job for our state and the Republican Party over the years, and Rep. Norman is confident that this will continue to be the case going forward,” he said. Livingston.
Rice, meanwhile, said she did not expect her working relationship with other Republicans in South Carolina to change.
“We have a delegation of good people working hard to raise the people of South Carolina,” said Rice. “Usually, we align the issues. When we don’t, we debate, vote, shake hands and move on to the next one.”
Three days after the SC GOP’s decision to censor him, Rice said that party president Drew McKissick had not yet called him to speak on the matter directly.
Tyler Fleming contributed to this report. Follow Jamie Lovegrove on Twitter @jslovegrove.