Politics

Republican Presidential Hopefuls Gather In South Carolina

Kerry Picket Political Reporter
Font Size:

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Citizens United and Republican Rep. Jeff Duncan are welcoming GOP presidential candidates and likely candidates to the South Carolina Freedom Summit Saturday to give remarks to grassroots activists from across the Palmetto State.

Republicans making remarks at the Freedom Summit include: Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Sen. Rick Santorum, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, and Dr. Ben Carson.

“Well you know I’m not endorsing anyone. This is a great event. We got so many different speakers. I’m as a voter looking forward to hearing their vision because I’ve got to make my mind up,” Rep. Duncan told The Daily Caller. “To put this event on and get this opportunity for people in South Carolina being a first in the south primary state is so important that I think this is the kick off event for the primary. So I’m excited and I’m looking forward to hearing these candidates.”

Certain presidential candidates and others who are expected to jump into the race are noticeably absent from the agenda. Chris Christie, Jeb Bush, Rand Paul, and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham are not listed as confirmed speakers at the Freedom Summit.

Duncan told TheDC that Graham’s absence was due to a family commitment but that the event was more necessary for candidates and likely candidates that South Carolinians were not as familiar with.

“[Sen. Graham] doesn’t have to introduce himself like Scott Walker or maybe a Ted Cruz or maybe a Carly or Ben Carson, so they’ve got to introduce themselves to South Carolinians. Lindsay doesn’t have to overcome that. So he’s ahead of the game for this locale anyway.”

According to The Greenville News, Mike Huckabee caused a stir when he arrived in Greenville Friday. The Club for Growth, a D.C. based anti-tax reform organization, aired an ad in the area slamming Huckabee for hiking taxes while he was governor of Arkansas.

The summit will be held at the Peace Center in downtown Greenville. Citizens United has hosted two previous Freedom Summits in two other key primary states — Iowa and New Hampshire.