SC GOP Says It Won’t Cover Cost of Primary

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – The South Carolina Republican Party says it will provide only the $20,000-per-candidate filing fee toward the cost of running next month’s GOP presidential primary. State GOP executive director Matt Moore said Monday the state Supreme Court ruled last month that the state and counties are responsible for the Jan. 21 contest. He told the state Election Commission the party won’t provide any additional funding beyond the $180,000. Four counties filed a lawsuit in October, arguing the primary was a private affair the state didn’t have enough money to handle. The GOP had previously agreed to cover most of the cost. But Moore says those arrangements are moot. Joel Collins, the attorney who represents the counties, says a party that stands for fiscal responsibility is reneging on its public promise.