Thurmond Says He Won’t Quit

Former South Carolina Gov. Carroll Campbell is adamantly denying rumors that he is pressuring Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) to give up his seat so Gov. David M. Beasley, a Republican, can appoint Campbell to fill the remainder of Thurmond’s term.

Campbell said he has not suggested to anyone that the 95-year-old senator retire and that he hopes Thurmond serves out his term. Thurmond has issued a statement saying resignation “is not even an option before me, let alone one that I am considering.”

The resignation rumor has been traveling through Republican circles in Washington and South Carolina ever since Beasley lost his reelection bid this month to Democrat Jim Hodges. That immediately raised the possibility that if Thurmond had to give up his seat, Hodges would appoint a fellow Democrat to replace him.