New ad: Shake Things Up

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We are very excited to announce that we have launched a new television ad for the general election. Here it is:

Thanks for your continued support!

Posted October 29, 2007 by

The State: Election to fill Moore’s Senate seat close call

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Election to fill Moore’s Senate seat close call

S.C. Rep. William Clyburn up against political newcomer Shane Massey
By RODDIE A. BURRIS
rburris@thestate.com

AIKEN — The choices appear clear and the contrasts distinct between the two candidates for the Aiken-area state Senate seat once held by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tommy Moore.

Republican political newcomer Shane Massey of Edgefield says he wants to “shake things up and change the status quo in the state.”

He’s taking on state Rep. William Clyburn of Aiken, a veteran, well-known Democrat who said voters tell him they want “a good, honest, fair government that will give them hope again and can be trusted.”

One of the questions voters will answer Nov. 6 in the four counties that make up District 25 — Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda — is what matters most in S.C. politics: demographics or name recognition from decades in public life and elective office?

The district, based on demographics, could favor a Republican. But Clyburn is confident he can win. While roughly 65 percent white, the district consistently elected another Democrat, Moore.

Massey sees the race as competitive.

“I think it’s a winnable district,” said Massey, 32, who practices law in Aiken. “I don’t think I can just say, ‘I’m running as a Republican’ and sit back and people will elect me. It’s a competitive race in a competitive district.”

Democrat Moore of Clearwater held the Senate seat for roughly 25 years, before retiring in August to take a job for a pay-day lending trade group.

But the district’s makeup shifted while he was in office.

Roughly 50 percent of the district’s nearly 52,000 registered voters live in Aiken County, which generally trends Republican.

Realigned in 2001, District 25 includes all of Edgefield and McCormick counties, the southern third of Saluda County, and much of the western portion of Aiken County.

Clyburn, who is the cousin of U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of Columbia, said last week he thinks he can win.

“I was told about the racial breakdown, and it’s very important to me that we cross that barrier,” said Clyburn, who is chairman of the Aiken County Human Relations Commission. “You can’t just live behind that forever.

“I’ve got all the ingredients necessary to serve. I’ve come up through the ranks, and I intend to break that (barrier).”

The odds — and history — may be stacked against Clyburn. If he wins next month, Clyburn would be only the second of S.C.’s eight black state senators, all Democrats, to be elected in a majority white district.

(Darlington Sen. Gerald Malloy was elected in a 2002 special election to fill the unexpired term of Edward Saleeby of Darlington, who died in office.)

Clyburn, 66, a former high school teacher, coach and principal, is familiar with breaking barriers in Aiken, where he has lived for 44 years.

He became the first African-American elected to the Aiken City Council in modern times in 1973, before being elected to county council in 1981.

Massey, who is taking his campaign door-to-door to win the district, was for some a surprise winner in the Republican primary, defeating five opponents.

“People want to know their representatives are concerned about them,” Massey said. “I don’t know how you do that unless you talk to them.”

Massey’s message of change was seized upon by Republican Gov. Mark Sanford, who likened Massey’s campaign slogan of “shaking things up” to his thwarted efforts at state government reform.

Clyburn, who has advanced to the influential House Ways and Means Committee under Republican leadership, has a reputation for working across party lines. He said residents in very rural Saluda County are concerned about the same issues as people in Aiken and Edgefield — education, jobs, health care and dealing with the illegal immigration situation.

While his House District 82 seat won’t be up for re-election until next year, Clyburn said a loss in two weeks would be a “setback” he tries not to think about. “We’re encouraged.”

USC Aiken political science professor Robert Botsch, who tracks local politics, said the race will come down to one thing: voter turnout.

About 5,300 voters cast ballots in the Republican primary runoff between Massey and North Augusta businessman Bill Hixon.

Massey did a good job turning out his vote in the primary, Botsch said. But if Clyburn gets his voters “really excited about sending him to the Senate,” he could pose problems for Massey.

Reach Burris at (803) 771-8398.

Posted October 22, 2007 by

Oops…Shake Things Up With Shane & Gresham

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We are very excited about our cookout and Get Out The Vote Rally this Saturday with Congressman Gresham Barrett. In fact, we are so excited that we accidentally sent out an invitation with the wrong date…oops!

The invitation said September 27th, but the event is actually this coming Saturday, October 27th. Sorry about that!

Gresham Barrett is a like-minded official who is fighting hard to shake things up and reform government. We are excited that he is coming out to help.

Shake Things Up With Shane & Gresham
Saturday, October 27
4:00 pm
Edgefield Town Gym
400 Church Street, Edgefield
For more information contact 803-637-3772

Posted October 21, 2007 by

Aiken Standard: Massey tops Hixon in runoff election

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Shane Massey has won the Senate District 25 Republican runoff against Bill Hixon with roughly 62 percent of the vote.
He is now left to square off against state Rep. Bill Clyburn in the Nov. 6 general election for the seat.

Numbers showed Massey pulling ahead early, and ultimately he garnered the most votes in each of the four counties comprising District 25 — Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda counties. In both McCormick and Saluda counties, Massey was easily the majority vote leader, pulling in more than double the number of votes as Hixon.

Posted October 3, 2007 by

THANK YOU!

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Friends -

I want to thank you for making me your Republican nominee for State Senate. Although we saw an amazing victory last night, the fight to shake up Columbia is far from over. That fight continues as we head into the general election, but only on November 7th, the day after the election, does the hardest work truly begin.

Some politicians give us a lot of rhetoric and empty promises. I’m not going to promise you that I can single handedly change Columbia. But I will promise to work tirelessly as your Senator and be the loudest voice for change. I want to shake up the status quo and end politics as usual.

It’s time to move past focusing only on the problems facing our great state and begin finding real solutions. That starts with ending the infighting and negativity in Columbia. It’s time for our elected officials to start working together to enact commonsense solutions. We can recruit jobs, cut taxes, fight illegal immigration, and improve education if we simply concentrate on hard work rather than political games.

We can shake up Columbia if we all work together. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to continue pushing this message.

Sincerely,

Shane Massey

Posted October 3, 2007 by

VOTE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2ND

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Friends,

Tomorrow you will go to the polls and elect the Republican nominee for your next State Senator… a nominee who shares your beliefs.

There were a lot of negative attacks this week aimed at my wife, my family, and me. These dirty games are unfortunate, so in their wake I’m writing today to remind you of my beliefs.

I believe a State Senator should be hardworking. If he doesn’t work hard, he doesn’t deserve your vote. You should hold me to that standard.

I believe politicians are playing too many games with our lives, our family values, and our tax dollars.

I believe in less government and lower taxes.

I believe in holding state government accountable and demanding fiscal responsibility.

I believe our family values are sacred, life begins at conception, and, as our state law confirms, marriage is between one man and one woman.

I believe the federal government has dropped the ball on stopping illegal immigration, and South Carolina’s economy is suffering because of it. It’s time for South Carolina to act, and I’ve got a plan to put us on the right track.

I believe we can improve our education system if we hold bureaucrats accountable for the money they spend. We have to get money out of wasteful administration and into the classroom for students and teachers.

I believe negative campaigns are ruining government. That’s why I signed a clean campaign pledge. I have not attacked my opponent. Despite assertions to the contrary, I have not coordinated or encouraged any group outside to attack my opponent. I have remained positive, and I promise to do the same as your State Senator.

I believe we can create jobs if politicians stop fighting in Columbia and work together to recruit employers and create an environment conducive to job growth.

I believe it’s time for new, honest leadership. I’m sick of turning on the news and seeing political scandal after scandal. Congressmen resigning, lobbyists going to jail, and Senators caught in sex scandals. Here in South Carolina we’ve had two statewide politicians indicted in just three years.

Most importantly, I believe it’s time to shake up Columbia, end politics as usual, and actually get things done.

If you agree with me, I sure would appreciate your vote on Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Shane Massey

Posted October 1, 2007 by