SC-5: Parnell Back

The 2017 surprise special election candidate, former Wall Street executive Archie Parnell (D) in central South Carolina, has apparently decided to take another run at newly-elected Rep. Ralph Norman (R-Rock Hill).  Mr. Parnell only lost the special election by three percentage points even though he was left for politically dead by the national Democratic political apparatus and their affiliated outside groups.  Mr. Parnell has scheduled “a special announcement” for Monday, which will undoubtedly be a declaration of candidacy.  He made have already taken his best shot, however.  In the low turnout special election, chances for an upset in the conservative district were much better than in a regular election, particularly now that Mr. Norman is an incumbent.  Still, the Parnell move clearly gives the South Carolina Democrats their best opportunity for victory, but Mr. Norman remains a heavy favorite for re-election.

--Jim Ellis