Optimistic Democrats open Hilton Head office

Beaufort County Democrats expressed optimism Sunday afternoon that Democrats will reclaim the gubernatorial and 2nd District congressional seats, a feat that will be accomplished in large part to volunteer and grassroots efforts throughout the state.

The Democratic Club of Beaufort County South of the Broad hosted an open house Sunday at the opening of its Hilton Head Island campaign headquarters at 55 Mathews Drive, Suite 230.

Carol Rommel, a volunteer organizer,said the office will be staffed with three volunteers per day for the next three weeks, but organizers always welcome more.

"We'll be focusing on voter registration, phone calls, and data entry," she said. "The Democrats in Beaufort County have already made more phone calls than any other county in the state, and we hope to help continue that."

Blaine Lotz, Beaufort County's Democratic Party chairman, said boosting Democratic votes could be a deciding factor in a number of the state's races.

He said volunteers in northern Beaufort County made about 1,700 phone calls and knocked on 150 doors Saturday as part of their effort to find and motivate area residents to vote for the state's Democratic candidates.

The Beaufort County Democratic Office opened Aug. 7 in Beaufort, Lotz said. The Beaufort office has about 70 volunteers staffing the phones and canvassing neighborhoods, he said.

Rob Miller of Lady's Island, the Democrat challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson for the 2nd Congressional District seat, spoke Sunday afternoon.

Miller told about 100 party organizers and supporters that state campaign coordinators on Saturday made about 36,000 phone calls to residents around the state to rally support for the party.

"We are one of the top races in the nation," he said. "Make no mistake, it's going to be a tough fight. Every race in South Carolina is going to come down to grassroots efforts. And offices like the one here in Hilton Head will make the difference."

Two years ago, Miller made a run at Wilson, but the Lexington County Republican was elected a fifth term,54-46 percent.

Miller said his campaign has focused on reaching out to Republicans and Independents as well as Democrats to bring attention to Wilson's "catastrophic" failures. He said he will continue to speak to residents at small gatherings, businesses and at residents' homes.

"I don't take any vote for granted," he said after the event Sunday. "Wilson's failure cut across all party lines. But every day, in every campaign, we have to fight for every vote."