Gilliard defeats Middleton to win Democratic runoffBy Robert Behre (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tyrone Walker Wendell Gilliard gives his victory speech Tuesday to campaign supporters at Huger's in downtown Charleston after defeating Clay Middleton in the Democratic runoff for state House District 111. House District 111Wendell G. Gilliard 1,190 Clay N. Middleton 923 Charleston City Councilman Wendell Gilliard cruised past Iraq war veteran Clay Middleton by a 5-4 ratio Tuesday to win the Democratic runoff for the District 111 state House seat. Gilliard won about 56 percent of the vote, according to the unofficial results, and that virtually guarantees he will succeed retiring Rep. Floyd Breeland. No Republican filed for the seat. Gilliard greeted supporters Tuesday night inside Huger's restaurant on Upper King Street and chalked up his success to his experience in the public eye, first as a union leader and then as a councilman. "I plan to make myself visible in 111," he said. "I don't plan to go up there (to Columbia) and get lost, by no means." Middleton called Gilliard to congratulate him. Middleton said he also talked with his boss, U.S. Rep. and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, who noted that he also lost his first bids for office. "I'm not going to let this define the rest of my life," Middleton said. "Folks would ask, 'Clay, what happened?' Well, we just didn't get enough votes. We'll regroup and go back to work first thing in the morning and go back to what we have been doing: serving people." Middleton, 26, was backed by Clyburn and Breeland, but that wasn't enough to counter a councilman who has held office since 1998. Gilliard, 53, noted his accomplishments included shutting down an adult bookstore next to the Maryville neighborhood in West Ashley, improving the pay of city workers and starting Project Cool Breeze, which distributes air conditioners to low-income families. Both candidates vowed to help improve public education and assist senior citizens. One thing they disagreed about was whether to debate. Middleton criticized Gilliard for ducking a debate invitation from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, but Gilliard said voters would rather he go door to door. Tuesday's outcome was similar to the results in the three-way June 10 primary, in which Gilliard won 46 percent of the vote compared with 38 percent for Middleton. Former Charleston City Councilman Maurice Washington received 16 percent in that contest, not enough to make the runoff. The candidates spent much of the day trying to turn out their supporters, and the 13 percent turnout was about two-thirds as many who went to the polls on June 10. Gilliard said he will continue to serve on City Council through the end of the year, and a special election will be held to fill his District 6 council seat early next year. Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 13 comment(s)
Posted by Early on June 25, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr Middleton, you have a long career ahead of you. Keep it going man, keep it going!
Posted by trueword on June 25, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope that Mr. Gilliard will now find it within his heart to acknowledge his eldest son and 4 grand children. During the course of his election and service to his community he has repeatedly and intentionally decided to exclude the existance of this part of his life.
Though he has done things for the community, somehow it seems hard to fully trust in a person who uses religion as a background for his work and integrity, yet refuses to acknowledge his own fleash and blood.
GOD IS NOT PLEASED NOR IS HE ASLEEP WENDELL GILLIARD!!!
When I heard his campaign endorsements on the radio station with the gospel music...I thought..."oh how hypocritcal".
I hope that he will serve the people better than he has served his son and grandchildren.
Posted by Michellebonneau on June 25, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't want Clay Middleton to look at this as defeat but look at it as GOD has other plans for you.
Posted by imoc82 on June 25, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so sad to me. I hope and know that Clay will continue to fight the good fight.
As for Mr. Gilliard, explain to me this. One of your huge "success stories" for quite some time now delt with your involvement in getting the porn stor closed. As a citizen that lives in Maryville, please tell me what the difference is between a PORN STORE and a gas station that will make MILLIONS of dollars off of the sale of ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND LOTTERY TICKETS. All of these will not serve for any advancement of the community. All it means is that we will not have to cross the street anymore to get that stuff. You may have succeeded in getting rid of the PORN, oh but wait... Don't major chain stores like Kangaroo sell Playboy and Hustler?... I think all you were successful at was putting a local out of buisness and opening the door to "Big Buisness". Way to go! Moron!
Posted by YankeeLady on June 25, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Will Mr. Gilliard continue to call anyone who disagrees with him a racist?
Posted by belovedbliff on June 25, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what is the scoop on his son?
Posted by CNN_10 on June 25, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hack is what Wendell is. Clay you have a great future ahead of you run for Clyburn seat when he retires.
Posted by trueword on June 25, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wendell has a son that was born his freshman year in college. His son and the grand children live in the tricounty area. He is well aware of where he lives but chooses not to have a relationship...limited or whatever.
The son was born out of wedlock but Mr Gilliard also has a daughter (with his ex wife) who also has a child out of wedlock. Do you think that he will not have a relationship with that grandchild?? Is there a difference? He never chose to be a part of his life but Mr Gilliards' brothers and other family members chose to. This says a lot for the character of our/your newly elected!!!
Posted by womanofsoul on June 25, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Quote From Senator Obama
"Too many fathers are M.I.A., too many fathers are AWOL, missing from too many lives and too many homes. "They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it."
Mr. Gillard I hope the information about your son and grandchildren is not ture.I have a great deal of respect for you. I've worked with you within the City of Charleston Take a Love to Doctor, Project Cool Breeze ect.
You are a Leader! If this is true,ask God to forgive you.
And just do better.
God Bless you
Posted by trueword on June 25, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Believe me...it is true. Ask anyone in his family.
Sad but true.
Being the person that I am and for the sake of his sons mother, I chose not to disclose this info and make things bad for him prior to the election...though trust me ...I truly wanted to. He deserves it!!!
Posted by amylrod on June 25, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Quote From Senator Obama
"Too many fathers are M.I.A., too many fathers are AWOL, missing from too many lives and too many homes. "They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it."
OH! I thought that was Bill Cosby's quote......
I don't live in his district, but if I did, I wouldn't have voted for him! Good luck, Charleston!
Posted by lou9 on June 26, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh great. Now we have more stupidity representing us in Columbia. Gilliard is an idiot. With him everything is all about race. He will be another Robert Ford, everytime he opens his mouth his foot will go in.
Posted by scnative4ever on June 26, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
another unqualified person holding public office. the next one will be obama. you can't vote for people by the color of their skin. if you do our country and state will be run like burger king.