(CNN) – South Carolina state Sen. Jake Knotts' use of a racial slur Thursday to describe gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley has drawn him a primary challenger.
Former Lexington County GOP chairwoman Katrina Shealy had already been plotting a run against Knotts in 2012, but she told CNN Friday that Knotts' "raghead" remark prompted her to make a very early entry into the race that won't happen for two years.
State senators serve four year terms in the Palmetto State.
The 2012 Republican primary will be a re-match of the 2008 race for the Columbia-area Senate seat, which Shealy lost in a runoff by a 57 to 42 margin.
"After the episode yesterday, I just kind of went ahead and threw it out there," Shealy told CNN. "The political climate out there is so ugly. I am sick and tired of the negative politics. We need to clean house and start over."
Shealy, an insurance underwriter, had the backing of Gov. Mark Sanford and his small government allies in the 2008 race.
From CNN Politics
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His photo matches his caricature; however, he does resemble slightly, another South Carolina pol., John Spratt, who probably knows the ins & outs of the complicated Fed. Budget better than anyone. SOOO, I guess we shouldn't judge a book by its' cover. But man, Knotts is a horrible read.
While this Republican is spewing racist slurs, the Senate minority leader is more worried about an apology from Paul McCartney for expressing his opinion of the former President who often made up words, and came across as somewhat ignorant. Is that to say that Republican senate is in support of the racist comments made? I hope not.
And South Carolina takes the lead away from Arizona once again in the racism derby. Makes sense, though: sure, there's plenty of racism in Arizona, but it's a dry racism. Have a nice day!
Go figure . . . Now the GOP bigots are even calling each other nasty names. Sean Hannity and Sarah will soon be out of work!
Just lok at his picture. Fat White. Ignorant. Welcome to South Carolina
The GOP and racism, say it isn't so.
The Republican party and racism, say it isn't so.
This is truly a sad statement about America, and it's politics.
This fool should resign. And where is Rep. Boehner, so quick to DEMAND an apology from Paul McCartney for putting President Bush down in a jab, yet he has no concern or objection to this member of his party calling President Obama a "Raghead"! This is just one more example of why Republicans and Boehner in particular have no credibility.
Jake Knotts – looking like Elmer Fudd .... and acting more crazy than a peach-orchard sow every day! These people are making laws & running the government? No wonder people from other states shake their heads and don't linger in SC: Whatever possesses these people might be contagious! Drive, Thelma, drive!
This Knotts bigot should be thrown out of office. He's a disgrace.
OK, so State Senator Knotts said what he said and he apologized. Fact of the matter is that he said what he ment and ment what he said. Had he not intended to slur the candidate or the President, he would not have said what he said.
Our culture now is becoming one where people are saying the ugly things they want to say while knowing it will draw attention to them and then they will apologize but they are comfortable in the knowledge that they are now saying what they have always wanted to say. It is a sad time we live in now.
awww, give Knotts a pass on this.
After all, that is how Knotts was raised in the backwoods. And strangely, Knotts resembles member of the porcine family.
You are just a stupid red neck and shouldn't be a Sen.
Wow, just look at that big, fat meathead. He is a poster child for southern Republicans. Large, white, dumb and mean.
This guy Knotts is out of control. Another black eye for all of us who love South Carolina. This is 2010. The Civil War is over and there is no more room or tolerance for bigotry of any kind. It's time to get rid of the "good ole boys" and get some intelligent and honorable people to represent us.
Just showing the rest of us what a "True South Carolina Patriot" thinks.
Better a "raghead' than a "lardhead". Gezz, dude, do something other than sit on your more-than-adequate butt and think up stupid, racist remarks. You're a pox on your state and a clown of a human being. Pull your head out of the 18th century, man. Or, just shut up.
Sorry, Jesse, but you're a toad. Do us a favor and quit now.
It doesn't surprise me that this Boss Hogg wannabe would say something like that. He probably didn't realize that his hateful comments would actually come back to bite him in the ass!
the guy even LOOKS like a classic dumb redneck southern "good old boy" politician
that mans no patriot hes an idiot.
What a loathesme slimeball this Jake Knotts guy is. Horrible person to be representing any constituency. Shame on anyone who votes for this slug. What an ugly pig. He should get a job as a conservative talk show host because we need another one just like him, (yeah, right) even though there are a half dozen obnoxious clones of his already doing the job on national radio and t.v. No wonder this country is such a divided mess!!!
Stay classy, South Carolina.
Man...Is he not the perfect example of a South Carlina GOP candidiate?
The Party of No members have no sense of values other than winning elections at any cost!
Archie Bunker lives on.
This guy probably likes little boys.