Accusations of nepotism and carpetbagging as SC Senate District 36 Democratic primary turns contentious

MANNING, S.C. – (WIS) Accusations of nepotism and carpetbagging are surfacing in one Democratic primary for a Midlands state Senate seat.

One candidate is leaning on experience, while the other is banking on change.

Sen. Kevin Johnson, D-Clarendon, is running for re-election to the District 36 seat, which includes parts of Sumter and Clarendon counties.

His opponent is local attorney Eleazer Carter.

The race between these two men who knew each other well has gotten contentious in recent weeks.

This is not the first time they have faced off in a primary. Johnson beat Carter in the Democratic primary in 2020 with about 76 percent of the vote.

Johnson is calling his opponent a fraud.

“The guy, there’s no honesty in him,” he said in a Friday interview.

Carter said that Johnson is lying to voters about his record.

“Sometimes I realize when they go lie, just don’t go as low as they go,” he said.

Johnson said his years of experience in the Senate have allowed him to cultivate relationships with leaders on both sides of the aisle, and deliver tens of millions of dollars to the district.

“There’s nobody running for this seat that has the experience, the seniority, or whatever it takes to continue to move District 36 forward,” he said.

Supporting public education, improving the state’s healthcare system, and creating jobs are among Johnson’s top priorities.

Carter said he was called to run again due to what he calls Johnson’s lack of transparency.

“Lack of transparency when it comes to family and friends appointments by Mr. Johnson, and it just got to the point where it became something that I figured I might as well give it another shot in trying to address it, and this time I would be more vocal about it,” he said.

Carter is putting an emphasis on support for veterans’ rights, seniors, and women’s reproductive rights.

Judge Jocelyn Newman ruled that Carter met the district’s residency qualifications and ordered his name back on the primary ballot after it was initially shot down by the South Carolina Democratic Party.

“Carter did acknowledge that he owns a home in Hopkins which he claims as his primary residence for tax purposes and that he does not claim the Manning home as his primary residence for tax purposes,” Newman’s order reads. “But, he contended, he nevertheless resides in Manning.”

Johnson said that there is more information that could have changed Newman’s decision.

“I understand the fact that she can only rule on the information that’s presented at the case, but she didn’t have the documentation,” he said. “Anybody go to Richland County and check with the auditor, the assessor, or the treasurer and you will see that he considers himself a resident of Richland County.”

Carter said the law was overwhelmingly in his favor in this case, and said Johnson knows better.

“I was born and raised in Summerton, South Carolina,” he said. “I’ve been here my entire life. Yes, I’ve lived in other places, particularly when I was in the military, off to college, or something to that effect. And yes, I have purchased property in different counties within the state. Well, you know, when Mr. Johnson says I come here every now and then, I mean there’s nothing I can say to that except he’s lying to the voters.”

Carter is accusing Johnson of using his elected position to help his family secure lucrative positions within the Clarendon County School District, including his daughter, former Rep. Kimberly Johnson, D-Clarendon.

“His position got her in that position, and if you look at other positions with his other kids, you’ll see the same thing,” Carter said. “Only his job as a senator and his ability to communicate with people would put them in the positions that they’re in.”

Johnson denies the claims.

He encouraged voters not only to take him at his word, but also to do their own research.

“I’ve never picked up a phone or wrote a letter for any member of my family,” Johnson said. “My family, they all have master’s degrees, they all have been an integral part of this community. Kim is a veteran of the United States Army. They’ve never asked, nor needed my help. But again, people don’t have to take my word for it. Check with all the employers, check with anybody that had anything to do with them being where they are, and ask them, ‘Did Kevin Johnson ever do or say anything to help them get a position?’”

Johnson said he resents these attacks and argued that Carter is a plant of the Republican Party.

“This man is not a resident here, he voted Republican, he’s running Democrat and nothing he is saying is true,” “This is a grown man and instead of deciding to campaign on the issues and on a platform, he’s dragging my wife and my children, adult children, through the mud. And I don’t know how they think that’s a winning strategy.”

Carter said he is disappointed in Johnson and himself for allowing the race to get so personal, but he felt he had to speak up.

“I ran against Mr. Johnson before, on every occasion he would attack and I would just never say anything,” he said. “No matter what he brought up, I just allowed it to go. Well, this last time was the straw that broke the camel’s back. When he started coming after me, allowing his daughter to come after me, engaging in lies and telling statements about me being a Republican or supporting Republican causes. Any cause that benefits the community, I’m going to pursue it.”

Carter claims he has no serious hostility toward Johnson. He is, however, against his conduct, attitude, and the things he does, he said.

“I have the support,” Johnson said. “He’s been rejected time and time again, and now he’s a plant for the Clarendon County Republican party, and nobody’s buying it.”

There are two candidates vying for the Republican nomination in the district: Leon Winn and Jeff Zell, who currently serves on Sumter’s school board.

The primary day is this upcoming Tuesday, June 11.

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