Watch: Caucus Results Could Impact SC Votes
Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — The Iowa caucuses mark the beginning of presidential primary season.
“It’s a truly American system that has lead us to this point so we’re excited to see what happens tonight,” says Matt Moore, Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party.
Party officials in the Midlands say Monday night’s results could have big ballot implications in the Palmetto state.
“We see from that history Iowa can influence what happens in some of the other states,” says Jamie Harrison Chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party.
For the GOP party, the caucuses are all about which candidates can maintain and gain traction with voters.
Moore explains, “Well the past two election cycles the winner of the Iowa caucus has not done particularly well Can you meet the expectations of your campaign to finish first second or third and the momentum that generates into New Hampshire and into South Carolina and beyond.”
While Democrats are facing a tight race between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders they’re also interested in the GOP primary seeing opportunity in the outcome.
Harrison tells ABC Columbia, “Depending on who that nominee is could create a lot of opportunity in some of the down ballot races but also even put South Carolina into play.”
The importance of South Carolina’s First in the South Primary plays in presidential selection is something members on opposite sides of the aisle agree on.
According to Harrison, “We get an opportunity to do is really vet the candidates to kick the tires to have them comb their messages and figure out how to go out and talk to voters.”
While Moore says, “
South Carolina is a bell weather for the states that come next: Tennessee, Alabama, Texas those states look to us for guidance on who they should support for president. So South Carolina is a bell weather for those issues and those candidates as for what comes next.”
South Carolina is a bell weather for the states that come next: Tennessee, Alabama, Texas those states look to us for guidance on who they should support for president. So South Carolina is a bell weather for those issues and those candidates as for what comes next.”Reps from both parties are reminding voters that they can only participate in one primary. The GOP primary will take place on February 20th and they Democratic will follow a week later on the 27th.
