A Volunteer’s Outburst Shakes a Campaign

A man who once helped run Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette’s bid for governor was taken into custody after a heated clash at a rally in Greer. The incident happened on June 8, the day before South Carolina’s primary election. While supporters gathered to wrap up Evette’s campaign, a volunteer named Blake Garrison Kirsch pulled a megaphone from a protester’s hands and then tried to hand it back to police, only to be told to return it. The protester filed charges against him. Police documents say Kirsch was not a paid staff member; he had volunteered for the campaign’s finance committee. After the arrest, he stepped down from any volunteer role. Evette’s team released a statement expressing disappointment and reaffirming their support for free speech, while clarifying that Kirsch had never been employed by the campaign.

Republican Representative Nancy Mace reacted sharply, claiming the protester was one of her supporters. She criticized Evette for not condemning the altercation, labeling the incident a disgrace to the state. Mace’s comments added tension between the two Republican contenders. The rally itself was intended as a final sweep of statewide support, featuring local officials and voters. The event drew attention not only for the conflict but also because it occurred just before polling began at 7 p. m. A poll from the Trafalgar Group on June 9 had Evette leading with 22. 4% of respondents, narrowly ahead of Attorney General Alan Wilson’s 20. 7%. The outcome of the primary remains uncertain, but the episode has already stirred debate over campaign conduct and the handling of dissent. Observers note that how each candidate responds to this incident may influence voter perceptions in the final hours of voting.

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