Education

Ron DeSantis & SC School Choice Failure?

If this is they type of “leaders” Ron DeSantis surrounds himself with?

Published

2 years ago

June 30, 2023

SC School Choice UPDATE: Well … it looks like we are going to have some significant updates on School Choice in the coming weeks.

Unfortunately for K-12 children, School Choice specifically, and education generally, is the “example” (out of hundreds) we know best of political corruption in South Carolina … and it amazes people as to the massive levels that exist.

It only took the submission of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request two weeks ago … but we finally found out exactly how bad the government run SC School Choice program for K-12 kids with special needs (misnamed “Exceptional SC”) was performing.

After 5 months of tax credit fundraising … as of May 31st the 100% government appointed board has only raised $127,129 (out of an available $12 MILLION) in scholarship funds in 2023. Even we were floored how bad it was.

The similar, but free-market / independent non-profit administered program in Georgia, raised $120 MILLION (out of an available $120 million) in scholarship funds for Georgia kids … in just the first 13 days in 2023.

This is literally the case study of why free-markets work … and 100% government solutions FAIL.

We have reached out to the board members of “Exceptional SC” offering help … with no real success as of yet.

Randy Page: SC Director of pro-Ron DeSantis Never Back Down PAC
Spencer Jordan: Head of SC Independent School Association (SCISA)
Edward Earwood: Head of SC Association of Christian Schools (SCACS)
Betsy Fanning: Head of Trident Academy, Mt. Pleasant

When reached by phone, board member Betsy Fanning, who is the Head of School at Trident Academy, simply stated that any discussion or acceptance of help was the decision of Edward Earwood as Chairman of “Exceptional SC”.

[NOTE: Trident Academy specializes in children with dyslexia and costs $32,975 per year, so wouldn’t an $11,000 scholarship be of great help to these families?]

A call to Chairman Earwood with the SC Association of Christian Schools was not immediately returned.

We did receive a returned phone call from the Director of the pro-Ron DeSantis Never Back Down PAC … who stated he was not interested in discussing any help … and promptly “backed down”, and hung up.

Much more to come, but we have a crisis in SC School choice and something needs to change … ASAP.

Why does the DeSantis connection matter? As we know, many campaign “leaders”, if their candidate is successful, end up in government leadership & administration policy positions in the future.

If this is they type of “leaders” Ron DeSantis surrounds himself with … “leaders” that actually DO BACK DOWN … we have a real problem for K-12 kids not just in SC … but nationwide.

This is not just a random staff member … this is the actual SC State Director for the Ron DeSantis PAC.

Developing story …

[CONTINUE READING]

Related Topics:CaptureSC DeSantis Featured GCGOP Grassroot GreenvilleSC mySCGOP Politics PresidentialElections ReOrg 2023

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Choosing the Right Candidate: A Thoughtful Approach

(#1) Electable & (#2) Collaborative

Published

2 days ago

August 20, 2025

Jeff Davis

by Jeff Davis

As we head into the 2026 South Carolina Primaries next June 9th, Republican (and Democrat) voters will be faced with picking which Republican (or Democrat) they want to represent them in the general election. It will be a choice we each have to make among the available options … the 2, 3 or 5 candidates that filed and are on the ballot … and there is no “None Of The Above” option. Sure, you don’t have to vote … but don’t complain later when you sat out the election.

We are seeing already … the jockeying by political consultants and their operatives to push their candidate (and tear down the opponents) … and the “PERFECTIONISTS” that complain about every candidate, but offer no solutions (and are not willing to run for office themselves).

A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH: Selection of a candidate to support is not easy. None of them are perfect, and how much can you really believe from what you hear on the campaign trail. What we like to encourage is that everyone think critically and logically about candidates and their campaigns, and steer clear as best you can of the emotional knee-jerk reactions that often dominate the discussions.

IT IS NOT JUST THE CANDIDATE – LOOK AT THEIR TEAM: While it’s tempting to focus solely on the candidate, it’s equally important to examine the people they surround themselves with. If you’re unaware of a candidate’s consultants (and their motivations), staff (and their roles), or the candidate’s supporters (who will inevitable have the ear of the candidate), it’s wise to hold off on offering your support. Ultimately, it’s not just about the candidate—it’s about their TEAM (or the “baggage” that comes with them).

We like to prioritize two key qualities when evaluating candidates:

(#1) Electability: A candidate (a) willing to run for office and (b) capable of winning. You may know the “perfect” person, but if they won’t run for office or are not capable of winning … what good are they?

(#2) Collaboration and Integrity: A candidate open to working with The People, with the grassroots, willing to listen, eager to include The People as part of their TEAM, and genuinely committed to doing what’s objectively right for the people—not just themselves (or their monied special interest backers). Here is where experience and judgment comes into consideration because you really don’t know what a candidate might do once elected. We have helped candidates get elected – and then never spoken with them again (not by our choice). Being lied to is a hard lesson to learn.

This process of selecting a candidate to back is both an art and a science, and while we may never find the “perfect” candidate, we can identify and support those who meet these two criteria and give us the best odds of promoting the conservative cause … at least until the next election when we will have another chance to try again.

THE TRUMP OF 2016: Reflecting on the field of “candidates” in 2016 … and the original “candidate” DONALD J. TRUMP … I believe that original candidate TRUMP, embodied these qualities, and that approach has proven effective in helping Save America.

STOP LOOKING FOR A “POLITICAL SAVIOR”: Most importantly, let’s remember, no candidate will save us. There is only one true “Savior”, and He is not running for office. Our work continues, so don’t think you are off the hook if your person gets elected. But having the right people – dedicated TEAM players – in elected positions from top to bottom can make all the difference.

Be smart … be logical … don’t be emotional … and don’t just complain, complain, complain.

Dum spiro spero
(“While I breathe, I hope”)

Best,

Jeff Davis, JD, MBA, CPA(GA)
Chairman & Co-Founder, mySCGOP.com
Chairman, Greenville County Republican Party
jeff@apogeetax.com
843-901-8036 (cell)

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TRUMP Shares Nancy MACE Polling Lead for Governor

Mace Leads with 25% over Wilson at 17%

Published

3 days ago

August 19, 2025

mySCGOP.news

TRUMP Truth Social Post (HERE)

The NANCY MACE campaign released polling numbers yesterday showing a commanding early lead in the South Carolina Governor’s Race … 25% MACE, 17% Alan Wilson, 10% Ralph Norman, 6% Pamela Evette, 3% Josh Kimbrell … with 38% Lean / Undecided. You can see the full reports HERE & below.

The polling results show MACE separating herself from the crowd since officially launching her candidacy last week and announcing AUSTIN MCCUBBIN (HERE), the 2024 TRUMP Team Statewide Director, has joined her team. This all seems to make MACE the early odds on favorite to win the Republican Primary next June 9th, 2026 … 294 days from today.

You can find more details on FITSNews (HERE & on X HERE) … but the real story broke when President TRUMP himself shared the MACE Polling Lead on his TRUTH Social (HERE) last night at 9:29pm. When the POTUS shares your leading polling data with the world … that is a not so subtle message.

Good news for NANCY MACE … but and incredibly bad sign for Lt. Governor Pamela Evette who is in a distant 4th with 6% of the vote. The Lt. Governor has led folks to believe she has TRUMP’s endorsement locked up. Well, that claim did not seem believable at the time … and really doesn’t appear believable now. When was the last time TRUMP endorsed someone in 4th place??? We can’t remember either.

Stay tuned … it is going to be a fun 2026 primary season!!!

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Coffee & Politics – Greenville Edition – August 15th, 2025

JOIN US every Friday (11am-1pm)

Published

1 week ago

August 15, 2025

mySCGOP.news

Coffee & Politics – August 15th, 2025 – YouTube (HERE) & RUMBLE (HERE)

Friends, we have been running a weekly Coffee & Politics Meeting out of our Greenville Headquarters for nearly 3 1/2 years now … and it has been a huge hit. It is how we communicate our vision and #Mission to or local Volunteers and Community … and it one way we RECRUIT more people to the MAGA America First movement.

WHEN: Every Friday from 11am – 1pm

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