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Judicial Reform – Upcoming Court of Appeals Ruling

This South Carolina case is extra clear

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2 years ago

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“Judicial Reform” … it is a hot topic buzz phrase going around and a lot of people are expecting our SC Legislature to do something about it in this upcoming 2024 legislative session that starts just seven days from today in Columbia on January 9th. We have been preaching it for years now (HERE) … even way before the founding of mySCGOP in 2021.

But we wanted to give you all a REAL LIFE and developing example of why we need judicial reform … even at the SC Court of Appeals level. This is just a preview of an expected court ruling coming any week now.

The SC Court of Appeals is in a quandary. Rule in favor of Jeff Davis and a plain language reading of the law … thus exposing the good ole boy legislators … or try to cover it up even more and expose the judicial system as doing the bidding of the good ole boy legislators. What will the Court do … especially in the midst of all this discussion on “judicial reform”?

The case also has to do with SCHOOL CHOICE (another hot topic for the 2024 legislative session – see HERE) … and it is a matter the founders here at mySCGOP are intimately involved with as our Chairman Jeff Davis filed the original case back on February 12th, 2020 in Newberry County. If the Court rules in favor of Jeff Davis, that will open up all the government and monied special interest “corruption” that has been going on in private school choice arena. Yes, it is a quandary for the Court.

Only a Declaratory Judgment: Know too this case wasn’t a real “lawsuit” seeking money damages, suing anyone personally, or anything like that. It was a simple DECLARATORY JUDGMENT case asking the court to simply interpret the law since no one could get the SC Department of Revenue (SCDOR – Hartley Powell), the Secretary of State’s Office (SOS – Mark Hammond) or the SC Attorney General’s Office (SCAG – Alan Wilson) to enforce a plain language reading of the law against their “friend” Chad Connelly and do anything to protect special needs children who were suffering.

THE LAW:

What was “the law”? Pretty simple! The SC school choice program … inappropriately named “Exceptional SC” … and nationally ranked as the worst school choice program in America … was only allowed, by law, to spend up to 2% of it’s donations on administrative overhead expenses. But Exceptional SC was spending well in excess of that 2% legal limit … not by a little bit, but by A LOT … reportedly 5 or 6 times the legal limit … and mainly to pay Chad Connelly’s $11,300 / mth “contracting fee“. Good “part-time” work while you build your other business (Faith Wins) if you can get it.

“The public charity may expend up to two percent of the fund for administration and related costs.”

S.C. Code Ann. § 12-6-3790(B)(4)

Jeff Davis had been screaming about the overspending trying to get Chad & Exceptional SC to stop the excess spending as the funds were intended for and coming out of children’s scholarship funds. But Chad and the Exceptional SC Board were having none of that … the overspending spending continued … and no one at SCDOR, SOS or the SCAG were willing to stop it either. Yep … the Good Ole Boy system … protect their “friend” Chad!!!

So, with no other options … Jeff sought help and direction from the SC Courts.

THE CASE:

Jeff Davis vs. Chad Connelly, Tom Persons & Exceptional SC (2020-CP-36-00093, Appeal 2020-001348): On January 15th, 2020, the SC Department of Revenue finally issued it’s legally required annual report on Exceptional SC. That report included the CPA financials that PROVED without any doubt what we all expected … that Exceptional SC was spending in excess of the 2% legal limit. So a few weeks later on February 12th, 2020, the Declaratory Judgement was filed.

Realize this case is unique in SC judicial history. No case like it had ever been filed. Typically when you donate to a non-profit, what ever the non-profit does with the money, the DONOR has no say. The only parties that can “sue” are the non-profit’s board members and the State Attorney General (neither of which were willing to do anything in this matter as they were Chad’s friends). That legal standard is universal. Only 2 other states have ever heard unique cases like this one … and both state’s Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the donor (in this situation, the Jeff Davis equivalent).

Basically the courts in those two other states found in these unique cases that if the non-profit formally agreed to use the donation for a specific purpose … they had do so … and the donor had a right to sue if the non-profit failed to do so and used the funds for something else.

In this South Carolina case it is extra clear. Not only did Exceptional SC say on it’s website that they would use 98% of donors money for special needs children’s scholarships … the LAW actually required it … and Exceptional SC did not do so … to the reported tune of $275,406. No small amount.

Judge Donald Hocker in Newberry (the hometown of Chad Connelly) ruled against Jeff Davis given the uniqueness of the case and Davis’ commitment to appeal to the SC Court of Appeals so we could get a formal ruling from a superior court.

It is now three and a quarter years later, and that appeal is ready and waiting for a ruling.

THE APPEAL:

The appeal itself was filed October 7th, 2020, and has gone though the entire process. It was initially scheduled for oral arguments in October 2023 … but after Mr. Davis appears before the Court of Appeals on September 12th, 2023 (where Jeff did mention the judicial reform issue on Live Court TV – HERE – and see Articles HERE & HERE)… the oral arguments in this case were CANCELLED … and the case was submitted to the Court of Appeals based solely on the written filings. Ask yourself … why would the Court of Appeals not what to hear oral arguments and ask questions on such an important and unique case?

Interesting right?

Well, it has been 3 months now and a ruling is expected any week. How will the Court of Appeals rule? Will they keep delaying? Is there any way on the planet that the SC Court of Appeals can rule that donors do not have “standing” to sue when THE LAW required a non-profit to use 98% of the donors donation for special needs children’s scholarships … and the non-profit executives used the funds to pay administrative overhead expenses and the Executive Director’s (Chad Connelly’s) $11,300 / mth “contracting fee”.

We can’t wait for a ruling!

A WIN / WIN: Stay Tuned …

We will use this article as background for when the actual ruling comes out … but no matter what happens this will be a WIN / WIN!

If the Court of Appeals rules in favor of Jeff Davis (& the children) … we get to go back to the trial court in Newberry and push for the recoupment of $275,406 for special needs children scholarships.

If the Court of Appeals rules against Jeff Davis (& the children) … we have Exhibit #1 in why South Carolina needs substantial “judicial reform” … not just the half measures legislators are talking about today.

Stay tuned …

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Choosing the Right Candidate: A Thoughtful Approach

(#1) Electable & (#2) Collaborative

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2 days ago

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August 20, 2025

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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

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August 19, 2025

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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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Happy Sunday – August 17th, 2025

Romans 13:1-2

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5 days ago

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August 17, 2025

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Governments and leaders are part of His sovereign plan, even if imperfect. Our leaders’ responsibility is to govern justly, as their authority is a divine trust. All authority is ultimately accountable to God. We always encourage and expect politicians and leaders on ANY level to act with integrity, knowing their role carries divine responsibility, and most importantly we urge ourselves and other citizens to hold leaders and their followers accountable to those ethical standards.

” Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted.”

Romans 13:1-2

To repeat from last Sunday (HERE), our life choices have consequences. The meaningful decisions we make may not be the popular ones, often require efforts and sacrifice.

Happy Sunday!

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

JOIN US every Friday (11am-1pm)

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1 week ago

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August 15, 2025

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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

JOIN US!!!

NOW ON RUMBLE!!! (HERE)

Subscribe to our YouTube Page:

Subscribe: HERE

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Happy Sunday – August 10th, 2025

Matthew 7:13-14

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2 weeks ago

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August 10, 2025

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Our life choices have consequences. The meaningful decisions we make may not be the popular ones, often require efforts and sacrifice. There is also the path of no effort, easy way out, whatever gets me there faster attitude bringing instant gratification, conforming to peer pressures often avoiding moral challenges. Choosing the less-traveled route of integrity, self-control, faithfulness, and alignment with God’s principles may be harder but is the righteous path bringing lasting reward. Choose wisely!

” Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

To repeat from last Sunday (HERE), God is merciful. God is patient…

Happy Sunday!

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Coffee & Politics – Greenville Edition – August 8th, 2025

JOIN US every Friday (11am-1pm)

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2 weeks ago

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August 8, 2025

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Coffee & Politics – August 8th, 2025 – YouTube (HERE), RUMBLE (HERE) & X (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

JOIN US!!!

NOW ON RUMBLE!!! (HERE)

NOW ON X!!! (HERE)

Subscribe to our YouTube Page:

Subscribe: HERE

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ONLINE SHOPPING: mySCGOP.shop

SUSTAINING & INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS:

Make a Charitable Donation TODAY: HERE

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