Politics & Government

Curtis Bostic's Grassroots Success Leaves Supporters 'Optimistic'

The Charleston attorney faces Mark Sanford in the April 2 runoff.

Jenny Bostic said it was her husband's plan all along: run a grassroots campaign that didn't worry about name recognition, endorsement or political organizations in the race for South Carolina's first Congressional District.

So how did it work out for Curtis Bostic, who took 13 percent of the votes in Tuesday's special GOP primary to force a runoff with former Gov. Mark Sanford?

"A grassroots campaign was what we wanted from the beginning," she said. "We were very pleased with the way it played out."

She attributed Bostic's second-place finish in a crowded field to the grassroots nature of the campaign and the fact that Bostic has met and helped a lot of people in the district as a public servant while he served on Charleston County Council.

"We're optimistic," Jenny Bostic said of the looming run-off election with Sanford. "We'll work hard and continue doing what we have been doing."

Find out what's happening in Goose Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As Bostic entered his law office Tuesday night after 10 p.m. and eking out a second place over Sen. Larry Grooms, the first words out of his mouth were: "God is good."

The crowd responded: "All the time."

Find out what's happening in Goose Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bostic kept his victory speech short, focusing on his Christian faith, family and the grassroots effort that got the votes out.

"You have defied the world, my friends. They thought we couldn't do it. They thought this seat had to be bought," Bostic said. "We can do things people don't expect."

Outside his law office with reporters, Bostic credited the grassroots effort with his second-place victory. 

And grassroots was what he got with dozens of enthusiastic people helping out across the district.

"He's got the Lord behind him," Bostic supporter Linda Peterson said.

Peterson, like many of his supporters, considers Bostic a friend and was happy to help his grassroots campaign. She said Bostic has lots of ideas and works hard to make them into workable solutions for problems.

Peterson's husband Arland also chipped in with the campaign, going door-to-door with Linda to talk to voters about Bostic.

Arland Peterson said he is tired of negative campaigning and was glad that Bostic never went negative.

"He was very careful not to slam anyone," Arland Peterson said. "Attacks aren't necessary."

"That doesn't do anything build up the candidate," Linda Peterson added.

Another friend that lent a hand to Bostic's campaign was Diana Glupker. She and her husband began reaching out to friends in person and on Facebook.

"First we'd ask if they had decided who they were going to vote for, and if not we'd say well we have a friend who is running would you consider voting for him," Glupker said.

Glupker sent several people to the web to find out more about Bostic after the initial conversation.

Bostic asked Glupker, the Petersons and everyone else gathered at his law office Tuesday night to continue reaching out to friends and neighbors, both in person and online, as he moves on to the run-off election.

Bostic also said he won't wait for a recount to begin his campaign against Sanford. 

"I won and I'm running hard," Bostic said. "We will leverage what we do have: relationships."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Goose Creek