Five months after coming up short in the House District 66 seat, Bowman businessman Edward L. Fludd, a veteran of previous political races, is back on the campaign trail once again.

Despite finishing last in the three-candidate House race and a health scare on the eve of the June primary, Fludd remains determined to continue his efforts toward public service. Although "some people may try to use it as an issue," he says his health is not a problem.

"I'm doing fine; I'm just not as fast," he said. "I'm like the Energizer Bunny. Ed Fludd will be around for a long time. I will not get out of politics. Like Abraham Lincoln, I'll keep running until we win. There are a lot of good candidates out there running. All would do an outstanding job, but I would do a little more than outstanding ... All I want is a chance."

Fludd is one of five candidates seeking the unexpired term of the late District 2 Orangeburg County Councilman James Glover in the special Dec. 10 Democratic primary. Glover's four-year term ends in two years.

In addition to Fludd, others in the race are Kenneth Ott, a Bowman businessman who serves as chairman of the Soil and Water Conservation District and who was a county commissioner in the mid 1970's; Johnny Ravenell, a Santee businessman and Fire District Commission chairman; Vernon Stephens, a member of the County Board of Education, and James Ulmer III, an Elloree agricultural teacher.

If necessary, a runoff election will be held three weeks later, on New Year's Eve. The winner of the primary will not face Republican opposition in the Jan. 28 special election.

The special election, initially set for Oct. 1, was delayed for over two months, pending a judicial decision on the use of old or new district lines. First Circuit Judge James Williams ruled the election would be held under the old district lines, the same lines which applied to Glover.

The election delay, Fludd says, is bad for all the candidates.

"The timing was very bad. In December, no one wants to get out and vote; they're ready for parades," he said. "We can understand the reason for the delay, but. ..."

In addition to challenging District 66 Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter in the last two Democratic primaries, Fludd has also sought the county probate judge's position three times -- in 1982 as a petition candidate and in the 1986 and 1990 Democratic primaries. Also, in 1996, he ran for the District 2 seat on County Council, and, in 1990, he and Stephens joined a crowded field to seek the Democratic Party's nomination for the District 2 seat, when the death of then Councilman Fred Mack, just weeks before the general election, left the field wide open.

In the end, the executive committee of the county party selected Silas Seabrooks as the nominee. Seabrooks then defeated Republican Randy Boland in the general election and served until he was defeated by Glover in the 1996 primary.

Acknowledging that "everybody just about knows me," Fludd said he didn't offer as a candidate for the council seat until a large number of people approached him about running.

Citing the volunteer work he does in Bowman as an example, Fludd says he'd continue his efforts to help the elderly and young people of the district.

"We need to promote recreation for the kids and to help the elderly on fixed incomes," he said. "And, I want to get a food pantry set up for folks in need and have community meetings."

As a council member, Fludd says, he would be in a position to get more things done to help people and he'd be at it full time.

"That's what I'm all about -- helping people, staying poor and helping people," he said. "By being a member of council, I'd give full-time attention to that job.... I'd be a different kind of councilman and put people first.... I don't plan to work; I can be flexible. Over 50 percent of my time is spent helping people. I transport people back and forth to the doctor and talk to the lawyers."

"Something has got to be done to keep kids off the street and to get programs to help them," he said. "We need a recreation center in district 2 and a big public swimming pool. Areas like Bowman and Providence, there's nothing to do... I'd go out and raise the funds."

If elected, Fludd says he'll do "everything in my power to fulfill all of the obligations (Glover) started." And, he says he'd concentrate on bringing jobs to the district, improving road conditions and saving money by preventing waste.

"Also, I'd have an office set up in Bowman, so (constituents) can reach me 24-7," he said. "I will return phone calls."

Fludd, who is a native of Santee, has a bachelor's degree in political science from Wayne State University, a master's degree in business education from South Carolina State University and a master's degree in business administration from Southeastern Institute of Technology.

A former officer in the U.S. Army, Fludd has also worked with the U.S. Department of Labor, with the post office and as a business instructor. He is a Bowman businessman, dealing in real estate rentals.

Fludd is a member of Felderville AME Church, VFW Post 8166, DV and Concerned Citizens of District 66. Recently, he was named VFW Member of the Year. He and his wife have two children.

T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached by e-mail at tlyon@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5545.

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