SC Dems Vote For Convicted Felon For Congress
South Carolina law prohibits convicted felons from serving in state office. But there is no law barring felons from seeking federal office. |
The State:
South Carolina Democratic leaders are trying to decide whether to support a convicted felon running for Congress as a Democrat.After winning in this week’s Democratic primary, Bryan Lamont “Ryan B” Doyle will appear on the November ballot as the party’s nominee in the state’s 3rd Congressional District, which stretches along the state’s western edge from the mountain town of Walhalla south to Edgefield.
Federal court records show Doyle, 37, was convicted in 2003 on six felony counts related to Medicare fraud and making false statements, resulting in a 30-month prison sentence.
Dick Harpootlian, chairman of the state Democratic Party, said party officials would need to evaluate Doyle’s chances of success and campaign strategy before opting to devote resources toward campaigning for him.
“He’s legally qualified, A. and B, we’re sending him to Washington, where fraud is a way of life. So I certainly don’t think it’s a disqualifier,” Harpootlian said of Doyle’s conviction. “We’d have to see what kind of effort he’s making.”
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"SC Dems Vote For Convicted Felon For Congress"
