Lotz Campaign Announcement

FORMER MILITARY LEADER TO RUN AGAINST JOE WILSON
It is time for a Congressman who will fight for the citizens of the 2nd District.

COLUMBIA, SC---On Monday, March 17, Beaufort County resident Blaine Lotz officially filed to run in the Democratic Primary for the 2nd Congressional District of the US House of Representatives seat currently held by Republican Joe Wilson.

Prior to filing at the Democratic State Party headquarters in Columbia, Lotz announced his candidacy at the Veterans Monument in Lexington where he was introduced by Kathryn Hensley, chair of the Lexington County Democrats.

In her remarks, Ms. Hensley spoke of Lotz’s years of experience and public service and the need to have a person of his strong character and integrity serving the 2nd District. At this and subsequent announcement stops throughout the 2nd District, Lotz stressed his vision for a new, bipartisan way of doing business in Washington and his belief that President Bush and Congressman Wilson are leading this country in the wrong direction.

Lotz then addressed supporters from the steps of the Statehouse in Columbia where he was introduced by retired Army Lt. General Claudia Kennedy. Gen. Kennedy emphasized the leadership experiences of Lotz during his 26 years of active duty in the Air Force and 13 years as a senior civil service professional in the Department of Defense.

After departing Columbia, Lotz and a motorcade of family and supporters made numerous stops in small towns in the 2nd District. The group enjoyed a lunch break in Neeses in Orangeburg County. In Barnwell, the group was welcomed by State Representative Lonnie Hosey and County Democratic Treasurer Wendy Gibson at the county courthouse complex.

Later, while stopping in Allendale County, Lotz and his motorcade group were met by Allendale County Democratic chair, Bill Robinson, and given a tour of the devastation in the area caused by the tremendous storms which ripped through the area on Saturday evening.

Candidate Lotz personally visited with several families in Allendale and nearby Appleton whose homes and property were heavily damaged. He was invited into one particular home to see how the storms ripped the roof, tore off the side porch, and caused major leaks throughout the house.

Another resident, whose severely damaged home Lotz visited, was forced to evacuate to a relative’s home because the electricity had been turned off. Lotz said the residents he visited were all grateful that they had been spared from injury or death.

The final stop of the day was in Hampton where Mr. Hugh Lightsey introduced Lotz to local business owners and citizens during a tour of the downtown area there.

Lotz officially announced his candidacy in downtown Beaufort where he was introduced by Beaufort County chair, Ms. Beverly Smith Dore, and North of the Broad Lotz for Congress chair Edgar Williams and was welcomed warmly by about 75 supporters.

Leaving Beaufort, Lotz and his motorcade continued to Jasper County for lunch at Jasper’s Porch where he was welcomed by former Representative Thayer Rivers, Representative Curtis Brantley, and Mr. Arthur Murphy and a group of some 40 citizens.

The caravan then arrived at Sun City Hilton Head where a large crowd of residents were assembled at the Pavilion. The Sun City Strummers 22-member band provided a festive atmosphere. Here, Lotz was welcomed and introduced by Sun City Democratic Club Chair Pat Goodman and Sun City Lotz for Congress co-chairs Sue Yearwood and George Kanuck.

The final announcement on Lotz’s itinerary was at the Veterans Memorial at Shelter Cove on Hilton Head Island. Here, retired Air Force Colonel Lotz was again introduced by retired Army Lt. General Claudia Kennedy. General Kennedy was the first woman in the US Army to attain the rank of three-star general.

Below, Lt. General Kennedy

Below, Lotz with a group of Democratic supporters at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Lotz received the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam in 1967-68.

At the conclusion of these announcement visits,
Lotz for Congress supporters gathered for a reception
at Jump & Phil’s restaurant at the south end of Hilton Head.

Below, Lotz with granddaughter Malia