In state where dirty politics status quo, conspiracies abound for surprise SC Senate candidate

Conspiracy theories no surprise in SC Senate race

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina is known for its sordid history of dirty politics. It’s no wonder conspiracy theories abound about the unemployed military veteran who won the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination.

Political scientist Neal Thigpen said Friday he’s not buying the argument that Alvin Greene was a shell candidate who got help from GOP forces seeking to discredit the Democratic Party.

Greene stunned everyone Tuesday with his 18-point victory over a four-term former lawmaker.

Thigpen says people voted for Greene because both Democrats were unfamiliar, and his name either sounded familiar or was just at the top of the list.

Party leaders want Greene to sit out of the race because of a pending felony charge, but he says he’s staying put.