Professor Nelsen considers race for governor
By: Emily Barksdale
Issue date: 3/27/09 Section: News
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As a Republican Party member, Nelsen has ideas for reform not only in the GOP, but also in the state. He said that he is well qualified to serve the people of South Carolina and improve key issues - namely, education and the economy.
Nelsen said that his experience in studying policy, his observation of South Carolina politics and expertise in the field give him credibility and are positive attributes for his campaign. He plans to stress to the general public that, even though he is a college professor, he is not "detached," as some might see him, but is instead a regular guy.
"Being a professor is not a liability," Nelsen said. "It's an asset."
Nelsen's strategy is to connect with people and to have a legitimate plan to reassert himself.
"Mine will be a content-based campaign," said Nelsen.
Thus far, he has arranged a campaign team and launched a website, http://www.brentnelsen.com, which has information about the campaign, news, recent updates, a blog, his stance on issues and ways to contribute to the campaign. This spring, his campaign team is planning an economic summit.
Throughout the summer and fall, Nelsen wants to visit each of 46 counties in South Carolina and to use teams of students to coordinate and follow up on those visits.
Nelsen is passionate about democracy. He realizes the risk of putting so much into a campaign, but he feels that it is worth it, and, besides, he says that he is not devoting his entire life to his campaign - yet.
This summer will be filled with debates and state party conventions before he returns to teach at Furman next fall.
Nelsen has been a Republican for his entire life.
"I was raised a Republican, and I am ideologically committed to the ideals of the party," Nelsen said. "But I have called for a reform of the Republican Party to expand our base."
He said that the Republican Party has a trend of losing members, especially those in the youngest age bracket of eligible voters.
"I think I can attract more younger voters," Nelsen said. "I think it's because I'm not a politician, and I do sense a kind of frustration with the current political system."