Rob Miller (South Carolina politician)
Encyclopedia
Robert Lauransom "Rob" Miller (born August 28, 1974 in Charleston, South Carolina
) was the unsuccessful Democratic
nominee in the 2010 election for the United States House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 2nd congressional district
. He was the nominee for the same seat in 2008, but was defeated by the Republican
incumbent, Joe Wilson
, in a close election.
. He met his wife Shane, while a student at Bishop England High School
. The two began dating while both were enrolled at the College of Charleston
. He graduated from the University of South Carolina
with a B.A.
degree, and received a Master's Degree
in justice administration from Norwich University
.
. Miller's basic training
took place at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
in 1995. Miller served 13 years in the United States Marine Corps
, including two deployments in the Iraq War. During his service in Iraq, Miller experienced combat duty
in battle locations during the initial two years of the Iraq War, including Mosul
, Haditha
, and Fallujah
. Miller rose to the rank of captain, and retired from the Marine Corps in February 2008.
.
In the days leading up to the election, Miller's campaign attracted the interest of top Democrats, and House Majority Whip
James Clyburn, also of South Carolina, campaigned for Miller. By October 23, 2008, Miller had raised about $500,000, approximately half as much as Wilson.
In the November 4 election, Miller took 46.4 percent of the vote. He was defeated by the Republican
incumbent, Joe Wilson
, in the closest election of Wilson's political life in the South Carolina Senate and United States House of Representatives. Wilson won the election by a margin of approximately 26,000 votes.
for . Also running were Libertarian nominee Eddie McCain and Constitution Party nominee Marc Beaman. On September 9, 2009, Representative Wilson shouted "You lie!" at President Obama during his speech to a joint session of Congress. Donations to Miller for his 2010 campaign against Wilson immediately spiked, followed by counter donations from Wilson's supporters. Within 48 hours, Miller had topped $1 million and Wilson $750,000. After one week, both candidates had received over $1.5 million. A poll conducted a day after the outburst by the Democratic affiliated pollster Public Policy Polling
found Miller ahead of Wilson 44% to 43%. WCSC-TV
described the 2010 race as "a high-stakes re-election campaign".
In January 2010, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
placed Miller's challenge opposing Wilson among the top 17 races in the 2010 elections for U.S. Congress. By February 2010, the Miller-Wilson contest had become the most expensive U.S. House of Representatives race in South Carolina history. During campaigning, Miller emphasized the viewpoint that his opponent had become complacent in Washington, D.C.
, "Joe Wilson raised his own pay five times; used taxpayer dollars to bail out Wall Street; and voted against combat benefits for troops in Iraq. I don’t know what state [Wilson] thinks he’s from. This race is going to be won because Congressman Wilson has voted against South Carolina interests time and time again." Miller positioned himself in the race as a fiscally conservative
Democrat.
Carol Fowler, Chairwoman of the South Carolina State Democratic Party, noted that Miller had gained experience since his prior election campaign, "(Miller) ran a competitive race in 2008, but he was clearly new at it. He's more sure of himself, he's better at fundraising, he's better at one-on-one talking to voters, he makes a better speech." Miller's first political television advertisement, titled "Iraq", included U.S. Marines that spoke positively of his leadership skills while serving in Iraq. The political ad first ran in August 2010. Miller placed an ad in which he accused his opponent of outsourcing
jobs to Central America
. Miller stated his campaign was attempting to appeal to members of the Republican and Independent parties as well as the Democrats, in order to highlight criticisms of his opponent.
Miller criticized trips made by Wilson to Afghanistan
, and stated the visits detracted from funding for U.S. military efforts due to the protection required for the trips. Miller emphasized a House Ethics Committee investigation into Wilson's usage of travel funds, and commented, "Joe Wilson represents everything about Washington that's wrong today. He has a long track record of skirting ethical rules in congress and that's not what South Carolina is about." He criticized Wilson's travel to Iraq as frivolous, stating to McClatchy Newspapers, "When I was in Iraq, I don't know how many times we had to take Marines and soldiers off missions so they could provide security for these political stunts. That's simply unacceptable. These politicians need to get out of the way and let the military get the job done." After reports that the Congressional House Ethics Committee investigation was wider than Wilson had led individuals to believe, Miller's campaign stated, "Congressman Wilson has been intentionally misleading the public about his ethics investigation. If he will admit to stealing in broad daylight, what is happening behind closed doors?"
in Beaufort County, South Carolina
. In 2010, their son, Ransom, was a student at Beaufort Elementary School.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
) was the unsuccessful Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
nominee in the 2010 election for the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from South Carolina's 2nd congressional district
South Carolina's 2nd congressional district
The 2nd Congressional District of South Carolina is a congressional district in central and eastern South Carolina. It includes all of Lexington, Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, Allendale and Barnwell counties; most of Richland County and parts of Aiken, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties...
. He was the nominee for the same seat in 2008, but was defeated by the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
incumbent, Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson (U.S. politician)
Addison Graves Wilson, Sr., most commonly known as Joe Wilson , is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party...
, in a close election.
Early life and education
Miller is originally from Charleston, South CarolinaCharleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. He met his wife Shane, while a student at Bishop England High School
Bishop England High School
Bishop England High School is the largest diocesan Catholic four-year high school in South Carolina. Until 1998, the school was located on Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston.It is now located on Daniel Island in the city of Charleston...
. The two began dating while both were enrolled at the College of Charleston
College of Charleston
The College of Charleston is a public, sea-grant and space-grant university located in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, United States...
. He graduated from the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree, and received a Master's Degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in justice administration from Norwich University
Norwich University
Norwich University is a private university located in Northfield, Vermont . The university was founded in 1819 at Norwich, Vermont, as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy. It is the oldest of six Senior Military Colleges, and is recognized by the United States Department of...
.
United States Marine Corps
During his freshman year at the College of Charleston, Miller enlisted in the United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. Miller's basic training
Basic Training
Basic Training may refer to:* Basic Training, a 1971 American documentary directed by Frederick Wiseman* Basic Training , an American sex comedy* Recruit training...
took place at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is an military installation located within Port Royal, South Carolina, approximately south of Beaufort, the community that is typically associated with the installation. MCRD Parris Island is used for the training of enlisted Marines...
in 1995. Miller served 13 years in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, including two deployments in the Iraq War. During his service in Iraq, Miller experienced combat duty
Combat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
in battle locations during the initial two years of the Iraq War, including Mosul
Mosul
Mosul , is a city in northern Iraq and the capital of the Ninawa Governorate, some northwest of Baghdad. The original city stands on the west bank of the Tigris River, opposite the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh on the east bank, but the metropolitan area has now grown to encompass substantial...
, Haditha
Haditha
Haditha is a city in the western Iraqi Al Anbar Governorate, about 240 km northwest of Baghdad. It is a farming town situated on the Euphrates River at . Its population of around 100,000 people is predominantly Sunni Muslim Arabs...
, and Fallujah
Fallujah
Fallujah is a city in the Iraqi province of Al Anbar, located roughly west of Baghdad on the Euphrates. Fallujah dates from Babylonian times and was host to important Jewish academies for many centuries....
. Miller rose to the rank of captain, and retired from the Marine Corps in February 2008.
2008 U.S. Congressional campaign
The 2nd had long been considered a Republican stronghold; it has been in Republican hands since 1965 and was one of the first areas of the state to break away from its Democratic roots. However, national Democratic officials expressed optimism that Miller could compete for the seat, in part based on expected high turnout of supporters of Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
In the days leading up to the election, Miller's campaign attracted the interest of top Democrats, and House Majority Whip
Party whips of the United States House of Representatives
A whip in the United States House of Representatives manages his party's legislative program on the House floor. The Whip keeps track of all legislation and ensures that all party members are present when important measures are to be voted upon....
James Clyburn, also of South Carolina, campaigned for Miller. By October 23, 2008, Miller had raised about $500,000, approximately half as much as Wilson.
In the November 4 election, Miller took 46.4 percent of the vote. He was defeated by the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
incumbent, Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson (U.S. politician)
Addison Graves Wilson, Sr., most commonly known as Joe Wilson , is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party...
, in the closest election of Wilson's political life in the South Carolina Senate and United States House of Representatives. Wilson won the election by a margin of approximately 26,000 votes.
2010 U.S. Congressional campaign
In 2010, Miller challenged Republican incumbent Joe WilsonJoe Wilson (U.S. politician)
Addison Graves Wilson, Sr., most commonly known as Joe Wilson , is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party...
for . Also running were Libertarian nominee Eddie McCain and Constitution Party nominee Marc Beaman. On September 9, 2009, Representative Wilson shouted "You lie!" at President Obama during his speech to a joint session of Congress. Donations to Miller for his 2010 campaign against Wilson immediately spiked, followed by counter donations from Wilson's supporters. Within 48 hours, Miller had topped $1 million and Wilson $750,000. After one week, both candidates had received over $1.5 million. A poll conducted a day after the outburst by the Democratic affiliated pollster Public Policy Polling
Public Policy Polling
Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer...
found Miller ahead of Wilson 44% to 43%. WCSC-TV
WCSC-TV
WCSC-TV is the CBS-affiliated television station for South Carolina's Lowcountry area licensed to Charleston. Its broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 47 from a transmitter in Awendaw. The station can also be seen on Time Warner channel 5 as well as Comcast and Knology...
described the 2010 race as "a high-stakes re-election campaign".
In January 2010, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States House of Representatives, working to elect Democrats to that body. They play a critical role in recruiting candidates, raising funds, and organizing races in districts that are expected to yield...
placed Miller's challenge opposing Wilson among the top 17 races in the 2010 elections for U.S. Congress. By February 2010, the Miller-Wilson contest had become the most expensive U.S. House of Representatives race in South Carolina history. During campaigning, Miller emphasized the viewpoint that his opponent had become complacent in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, "Joe Wilson raised his own pay five times; used taxpayer dollars to bail out Wall Street; and voted against combat benefits for troops in Iraq. I don’t know what state [Wilson] thinks he’s from. This race is going to be won because Congressman Wilson has voted against South Carolina interests time and time again." Miller positioned himself in the race as a fiscally conservative
Fiscal conservatism
Fiscal conservatism is a political term used to describe a fiscal policy that advocates avoiding deficit spending. Fiscal conservatives often consider reduction of overall government spending and national debt as well as ensuring balanced budget of paramount importance...
Democrat.
Carol Fowler, Chairwoman of the South Carolina State Democratic Party, noted that Miller had gained experience since his prior election campaign, "(Miller) ran a competitive race in 2008, but he was clearly new at it. He's more sure of himself, he's better at fundraising, he's better at one-on-one talking to voters, he makes a better speech." Miller's first political television advertisement, titled "Iraq", included U.S. Marines that spoke positively of his leadership skills while serving in Iraq. The political ad first ran in August 2010. Miller placed an ad in which he accused his opponent of outsourcing
Outsourcing
Outsourcing is the process of contracting a business function to someone else.-Overview:The term outsourcing is used inconsistently but usually involves the contracting out of a business function - commonly one previously performed in-house - to an external provider...
jobs to Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
. Miller stated his campaign was attempting to appeal to members of the Republican and Independent parties as well as the Democrats, in order to highlight criticisms of his opponent.
Miller criticized trips made by Wilson to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, and stated the visits detracted from funding for U.S. military efforts due to the protection required for the trips. Miller emphasized a House Ethics Committee investigation into Wilson's usage of travel funds, and commented, "Joe Wilson represents everything about Washington that's wrong today. He has a long track record of skirting ethical rules in congress and that's not what South Carolina is about." He criticized Wilson's travel to Iraq as frivolous, stating to McClatchy Newspapers, "When I was in Iraq, I don't know how many times we had to take Marines and soldiers off missions so they could provide security for these political stunts. That's simply unacceptable. These politicians need to get out of the way and let the military get the job done." After reports that the Congressional House Ethics Committee investigation was wider than Wilson had led individuals to believe, Miller's campaign stated, "Congressman Wilson has been intentionally misleading the public about his ethics investigation. If he will admit to stealing in broad daylight, what is happening behind closed doors?"
Personal life
Miller and his wife Shane married in 1997. They own a store in Beaufort, South Carolina called The Recruit's Depot, which sells San Diego and Parris Island Marine Corps merchandise. In 2008, Miller lived on Lady's IslandLady's Island (South Carolina)
Lady's Island is a predominantly residential Sea Island located in Beaufort County, South Carolina. Portions of the island are within the corporate limits of the City of Beaufort, while other sections remain unincorporated....
in Beaufort County, South Carolina
Beaufort County, South Carolina
-National protected areas:*Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge *Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 155,215 people, 45,532 households, and 33,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per...
. In 2010, their son, Ransom, was a student at Beaufort Elementary School.
See also
- Columbia, South CarolinaColumbia, South CarolinaColumbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
- List of United States Representatives from South Carolina
- Politics of South CarolinaPolitics of South CarolinaPrior to the 1960s, the state Democratic Party was firmly in control of the government of South Carolina at all levels. The state Republican Party was little more than a country club group organized to reap the benefits when a Republican was in the White House...
- Political party strength in South CarolinaPolitical party strength in South CarolinaPolitical parties in South Carolina include the South Carolina Republican Party, the South Carolina Democratic Party, the South Carolina Green Party, and the Libertarian Party of South Carolina. The following table indicates the party of elected officials in the U.S...
- South Carolina Democratic PartySouth Carolina Democratic PartyThe South Carolina Democratic Party is the South Carolina affiliate of the United States Democratic Party. The Democratic party thrived during the Second Party System between 1832 and the mid-1850s and was one of the causes of the collapse of the Whig Party....
- South Carolina's 2nd congressional districtSouth Carolina's 2nd congressional districtThe 2nd Congressional District of South Carolina is a congressional district in central and eastern South Carolina. It includes all of Lexington, Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, Allendale and Barnwell counties; most of Richland County and parts of Aiken, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties...
External links
- Rob Miller for U.S. Congress official campaign site
- Campaign contributions (2008, 2010) at OpenSecrets.org