MORNING NEWSBREAK | A state circuit judge ruled Tuesday that political parties control their primary ballots in a decision that will keep former Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Alan Ali off the county’s Democratic ballot in June.
In his ruling steeped in the First Amendment, S.C. Circuit Judge George McFaddin said parties have broad discretion under state law to make rules about who can be on their primary ballots.
The S,C. Democratic Party (SCDP) kicked Ali off the ballot earlier this month after questions emerged over his party loyalty. That led to the lawsuit in which Ali claimed he was being held to an impossible standard under a party rule on candidate support of the Democratic Party.
“I have no problem with the party having their own rules, but they should be required to apply them equally to everyone,” Ali said in a statement. “That is what the law requires and what our citizens demand.”
According to the court order, “The statute recognizes SCDP’s right (and every other political party’s First Amendment association right) to make its own rules and determine who will appear as a candidate on its primary ballot as allowed by law. The statute is purposefully silent on how Party certification is to occur – that is exclusively and rightfully the province of the respective Party.”
In a statement, SCDP Chair Christale Spain said, “[Tuesday’s] ruling affirms the party’s right to determine who can access our primary ballot. We will continue to ensure candidates for the Democratic nomination are not attempting to mislead Democratic primary voters by actively exploring running for office under the banner of another political party.”
Ali has other options to appear on the November ballot — as an independent, petition candidate or as a write-in candidate.
In other area headlines:
CP NEWS: Beach water quality testing program begins May 1. Scientists with South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control will resume its annual water-quality monitoring program at 122 “hotspots” along the South Carolina coast.
CP NEWS: Charleston advocacy group launches pilot nutritional program for perinatal families/ Advocacy group Beloved Early Education (BEE) Care Collective is launching a new program to help feed new and expecting mothers and their families healthy, well-balanced meals, thanks to funding from Roper Saint Francis Physicians Endowment of the Coastal Community Foundation.
CP FOOD: Black Food Truck Festival celebrates Black-owned businesses. The Black Food Truck Festival (BFTF) has grown into an impressive showing of not only Black food trucks, but of a community hungry for more opportunities to celebrate Black-owned businesses.
Charleston and other places can breathe easier than places out west. The American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2024 Report finds nearly 40% of Americans live in cities and counties with a high level of air pollution, an increase of 11.7 million over the previous year. Charleston, Florence and other cities in South Carolina have some of the cleanest air in the country, according to the report.
Shahid tapped for judgeship. Charleston City Council unanimously approved a slate of new municipal judges Tuesday, including former councilman Peter Shahid, who was appointed to a two-year term as an associate judge. Shahid, who ran for mayor last year, will replace outgoing Judge Michael Molony who is retiring in May.
Charleston to expand efforts to preserve African American heritage. Charleston City Council voted to approve a grant application request to help fund surveys of historic properties to find and sustain them to keep the rich history of these properties for years to come.
North Charleston launching national search for next police chief. North Charleston officials said the city has begun the process to work with Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) to aid the process in finding the city’s next police chief. PERF is the same firm used to find the last three police chiefs for the city of Charleston.
Mark Clark extension doesn’t perform well in Charleston resident survey. Charleston County held a series of meetings showing all the road projects the November tax referendum could fund. The county found that out of the 22 potential fixes the Mark Clark Extension received less support than all but one.
Isle of Palms votes to discuss further on seawall ordinance. Isle of Palms City Council voted 9-0 in favor of a motion to discuss changing an emergency ordinance that allows certain residents to have seawalls on their property.
Unofficial results in for special elections in Kiawah Island, Folly Beach. Two Charleston County municipalities will have new council members and one will elect a new mayor after residents voted in a special election Tuesday.
Apartments coming to Park Circle area later this year. The Assembly, a multifamily community, will consist of three four-story buildings with a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom units for rent along O’Hear Avenue.
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