Charter School Claims Leads to Lawsuit in SC GOP Primary
ANDERSON — An Upstate attorney embroiled in a legal dispute with the state’s largest charter school system has filed a defamation lawsuit against his Republican opponent from last month’s state House primary.
James Galyean, a former federal prosecutor and the founder of charter school management company Reason & Republic, ran against former West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders for Anderson’s open S.C. House District 9 seat, ultimately losing the GOP primary runoff on June 25. Galyean filed defamation lawsuits in Anderson County against Sanders and two of Sanders’ supporters in the final days of that campaign, claiming that statements they made in text messages and social media posts were false and damaged his reputation.
Allegations Against Sanders and Supporters
Galyean’s lawsuits against Sanders and his supporters are based on statements made during the campaign that he claims were misleading and damaging. Sanders circulated a mass text message stating that Galyean was “currently under State Ethics Investigation and owes one million dollars in unpaid loans,” which Galyean deemed false and defamatory.
Additionally, two of Sanders’ supporters posted on Facebook, linking to a State newspaper article about a $1 million legal dispute between Galyean and Erskine College, which oversees 27 schools and nearly 26,000 students across the state.
Galyean’s legal team’s response, which was due in Anderson County Court on July 12, is expected to clarify his position on the ongoing legal dispute with Erskine College. The court granted an extension until August 9 for the response, allowing both parties to engage in discussions to resolve the case.
Responses from Involved Parties
Galyean has not commented on the Erskine lawsuit but emphasized the necessity of addressing false allegations made against him in light of the ongoing litigation. He stated that all allegations, especially patently false ones, cannot be ignored and must be addressed in court to clarify his position.
In response to the defamation lawsuit, Sanders defended his campaign’s statements as truthful and fair political comment. He claimed that everything circulated during the campaign was accurate and that the lawsuit filed by Galyean was merely an intimidation tactic.
Political Landscape and Implications
Sanders, the owner of landscape architecture firm Studio Main and former mayor of West Pelzer, won the GOP primary runoff and faces no opposition in the November general election for State House District 9. The district covers a significant portion of Anderson County.
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling, New York Times v. Sullivan, provides broad protections for political speech. The defamation lawsuit filed by Galyean against Sanders and his supporters raises questions about the limits of political discourse and the legal ramifications for spreading false information during election campaigns.
As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome of the defamation lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for future political campaigns and the boundaries of free speech in the realm of political discourse.
Conclusion
The defamation lawsuit filed by James Galyean against his opponent and supporters in the SC GOP primary highlights the contentious nature of election campaigns and the legal repercussions of spreading false information. As the legal proceedings continue, the case will serve as a key point of reference for the intersection of politics and law in the state’s political landscape.
