Former South Carolina State Sen. Ray Cleary III has endorsed Solicitor David Stumbo in the June 23 Republican runoff for state attorney general. Cleary, a Republican and dentist by profession, represented District 34 from 2005 to 2016. In his statement, Cleary makes specific allegations about his successor, Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, involving the late Surfside Beach Magistrate Derek Blanton, who died in 2020.

Allegations Against Goldfinch

Cleary writes that Goldfinch requested he use his influence over Magistrate Blanton to re-open a criminal domestic violence case in which Goldfinch represented the defendant. Cleary declined, believing it would be an improper abuse of senatorial power. Later, when Goldfinch ran to succeed Cleary in the Senate, the two reached a handshake deal: Cleary would endorse Goldfinch if Goldfinch allowed Blanton to continue serving as magistrate. However, Goldfinch failed to honor this agreement and declined to re-appoint Blanton, effectively ending his career after 28 years of service.

Cleary characterizes the non-reappointment as improper and a textbook example of the abuse of legislative power. He also believes the removal of Judge Blanton from office likely hastened and contributed to Blanton’s untimely demise in 2020. Cleary closes by endorsing Stumbo as a man of character and faith who will discharge the duties of the attorney general honorably.

Goldfinch’s Response

MBSC sent a request for comment to the Goldfinch campaign, asking him to respond to each specific allegation in Cleary’s statement. However, Goldfinch has not responded to these requests.

Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.