Columbia developer considering Trump-like run for S.C. governor
South Carolina might have a candidate for governor in 2018 who follows the Donald Trump model of running for office.
Bill Stern, a Columbia real estate developer who is backing Trump for the White House, told The State newspaper he is considering a bid as a self-funded political outsider.
Stern has spent 14 years on the State Ports Authority – a driver of S.C. economic development – and says he wants state government run more like a business. The Republican said he sees the governor as the chairman of the board, legislators as the board of directors and South Carolinians as the shareholders.
“We have to answer to the shareholders,” Stern said. “There’s lot of fraud, waste and abuse going on. All agencies need to be looked at from top to bottom. You need to hold the people in charge of those agencies accountable. We need to see results. That’s what the people want. They’re thirsty for that.”
‘Real sense of frustration’
Stern, a major GOP donor, surprised many in S.C. Republican circles by backing Trump, the anti-establishment candidate, for president. Stern had taken part in the presidential campaigns of establishment stalwarts George W. Bush, John McCain and Lindsey Graham.
Before Trump’s February S.C. primary victory, the 59-year-old Stern predicted the New York billionaire’s candidacy would inspire other business leaders to seek office. Now, Stern could be taking his own advice.
Stern attended several Trump rallies across South Carolina where, he said, “I saw a real sense of frustration.”
Stern said he will run only if another candidate capable of bringing a different perspective to the State House fails to step forward.
Republican Gov. Nikki Haley is term-limited and cannot run again.
Other possible GOP candidates for governor in 2016 have experience in political office, including Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster, U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney and S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, the son of a congressman. House Speaker President Pro Tempore Tommy Pope and former Lt. Gov. Yancey McGill, another pair of Republicans, already have announced they plan to run.
Ed McMullen, Trump's S.C. chairman, said Stern could capture some of the GOP presidential front-runner’s momentum in the Palmetto State, which Trump won by double digits.
“We have to have a governor who understands that we are in a time when the game has to change,” McMullen said. “This is one of those game-changing elections.”
McMullen and longtime S.C. political consultant Richard Quinn are advising Stern.
“He’s not interested in the path of a career politician,” said Quinn, who would not rule out working on Stern’s campaign if he runs.
‘This state has been good to me’
Like Trump, Stern would face scrutiny about some of his business dealings during the campaign.
Last year, a Legislative Audit Council report questioned the $4.5 million profit that Stern earned from selling a 10-acre parcel at the State Farmers Market in Lexington County. Stern says he made improvements to the site that boosted its value before selling the property to the state.
Stern said he is ready to spend the $4 million to $6 million that he has been told is needed to run for governor. He said he does not see being governor as a stepping stone to higher elected office and would consider serving only a single four-year term.
“As Trump has said, he wanted to give something back. He feels he’s a successful business person, and he didn’t want to be beholden to the lobbyists or special interests,” Stern said. “That’s a great model for business people. If your state has been good to you – and, God knows, this state has been good to me and and my family – you should consider giving back if you feel you can make a difference.”
This story was originally published May 1, 2016 at 2:15 PM with the headline "Columbia developer considering Trump-like run for S.C. governor."