SC Democrats ask surprise SC Senate candidate to withdraw after learning of felony charge

SC Dems ask surprise Senate candidate to withdraw

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s Democratic Party has asked its own Senate nominee to withdraw after learning the man has been charged with a felony. But the candidate says he won’t budge.

Party chairwoman Carol Fowler says she asked Alvin Greene to withdraw from the campaign against U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint Wednesday after The Associated Press reported Greene had been charged with a felony.

Court records show Greene was arrested in November and charged with showing obscene Internet photos to a University of South Carolina student. The felony charge carries up to five years in prison.

Greene told AP he’s the people’s choice and will not step aside.

On Tuesday, Greene stunned state Democratic Party leaders by defeating a former state lawmaker, despite having no organized campaign.