GOP moves to distance itself from Lindemann

By Matt Garfield - Matt Garfield

York County Republican leaders are concerned their candidates could suffer fallout from the legal troubles of County Councilman Paul Lindemann.

Party Chairman Glenn McCall addressed the issue Tuesday, saying Lindemann's response to a drunken driving arrest last month should not reflect on anyone else.

"Paul Lindemann's actions are a pattern of behavior unique to Paul and not indicative of the rest of the slate of Republican candidates in York, who are hardworking people willing to serve the best interests of the voters of York County through open and honest government," McCall wrote in an e-mail to The Herald.

McCall's statement marked the latest effort by the county GOP to distance itself from Lindemann, who was arrested on DUI charges last month in Columbia.

Lindemann drove to a County Council meeting Monday night on a license that state records show has been suspended since the arrest.

He acknowledged driving on other occasions over the past month.

Lindemann on Tuesday urged the party to stop worrying so much about his personal life.

"The party needs to realize they're not a church or civic group," he said. "They're a political action group. The party should only be worried about my voting record and my stance on policy. And my record stands firm."

Lindemann, 29, has rebuffed calls to resign, saying he has the sup- port of family and friends. In the District 1 race in northern York County, he faces Democrat Marion Davenport and Green Party candidate Bryan Smith.

Republicans also are running contested races for county coroner, solicitor, state House, state Senate and three other County Council seats. Councilman Joe Cox of Sharon said the Lindemann case could be "in the back of people's minds" when they walk into the voting booth.

But Cox added: "I would hope the people would look at the candidate they're electing. We do have candidates that are good."

Lindemann supporter Virginia Faircloth of Rock Hill called The Herald on Tuesday to speak up for the friend she has known since their teenage years at Northwestern High School.

"I think he's getting thrown under the bus eight days to Sunday," Faircloth said. "What part of him getting behind the wheel in Columbia has anything to do with his decision-making as a council member? I'm not saying what he did was right. But I'm saying it was a personal matter."

The July arrest marked the ninth time Lindemann has been cited for traffic violations in the past decade, state records show. It was the third time Lindemann has been charged with driving under the influence since 1998.

In an interview, Lindemann said he won't retreat from his public duties. "The biggest thing that would hurt would be to hide from it," he said. "I'd rather be out there and show people that I actually care."

Republicans have endured a tumultuous summer because of Lindemann's arrest and the legal troubles of former Coroner Doug McKown, who resigned in July after being charged in North Carolina with drinking while driving.

McCall, the chairman, has been forthright about his expectations.

"Regardless of political party, elected officials are not above the law," McCall said. "When elected officials play fast and loose with the law, they significantly decrease the confidence of the people in their government."