Laddie Howard will not run for District 2

By Adam Beam | Published: March 15, 2010

Lobbyist Laddie Howard said today he will not file for the District 2 election to replace former City Councilman E.W. Cromartie.

Howard said the election, scheduled for April 6, does not give him enough time to run a campaign.

“I just think it’s going to get a lot crazier before it gets better,” he said.

Howard did not know about Paul Denman’s lawsuit, which is scheduled to go before a judge Thursday morning. But Howard said even if the April 6 election is halted, the council seat will be up for reelection in 2012. He might run then instead.

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Cromartie through the years

By Adam Beam | Published: March 15, 2010

If you missed Dawn Hinshaw’s profile Sunday of former Columbia City Councilman E.W. Cromartie, shame on you.

To research the story, our photo staff dug up some old pictures of Cromartie, and I’m posting some here:

E.W. Cromartie with his family at the Prince Hall Masonic Temple on March 1, 1983, the year Cromartie was first elected to City Council

E.W. Cromartie with his family at the Prince Hall Masonic Temple on March 1, 1983, the year Cromartie was first elected to City Council

E.W. Cromartie in 1978, when he first ran for City Council. He ran for an at-large seat and lost.

E.W. Cromartie in 1978, when he first ran for City Council. He ran for an at-large seat and lost.

Cromartie at a community basketball game in 1989 at Drew Park. Cromartie's team included fellow council members Frannie Heizer, Luther Battiste and Jim Papadea. (Yes, they won)

Cromartie at a community basketball game in 1989 at Drew Park. Cromartie's team included fellow council members Frannie Heizer, Luther Battiste and Jim Papadea. (Yes, they won)

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The invitation

By Adam Beam | Published: March 12, 2010

Here’s the invitation to Councilman E.W. Cromartie’s gathering last night. The highlighted portions are not mine. That’s how I received it.

Also, WIS is reporting Cromartie was not at the meeting.

Click here to ready today’s story, which references the meeting.

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The field (so far) vying for Cromartie’s seat

By Adam Beam | Published: March 11, 2010

In my Wednesday story about the now former Councilman E.W. Cromartie ’s troubles with the federal government, I mentioned three people who had indicated they wanted to run for Cromartie’s seat.

Now that the election is (tentatively) set for April 6th, filing for the seat officially opens at noon Monday and closes at noon March 19th.

Here are the candidates I know about:

Chris Barcazk — real estate appraiser, ran for the Tameika Isaac Devine’s at-large seat in 2006 and lost. He does not live in the district, but he does own a house there and could move there to launch his campaign.

Brian DeQuincey Newman — Former Richland County prosecutor, now a personal injury and criminal defense attorney in private practice with Rikard & Moses. He is the nephew of legendary S.C. civil rights icon I. DeQuincey Newman.

Harold “Puff” Howard — owner of Puff Howard’s Towing and Howard’s Garage on Two Notch Road. He is the brother of State Rep. Leon Howard, the former chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus.

Laddie Howard — Former lobbyist with the S.C. Association of Counties, now runs his own lobbying business whose clients include the South Carolina Equality Coalition. Howard is not related to Puff Howard or Leon Howard.

UPDATE: Because so many of you have asked, I haven’t been able to reach Cromartie’s son, Ernest Cromartie III.

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Cromartie’s last speech

By Adam Beam | Published: March 9, 2010

If you’ve ever been to a Columbia City Council meeting, odds are you’ve witnessed one of Councilman E.W. Cromartie’s legendary speeches — where words like “cohesify” were born.

Before his resignation today amid charges of federal tax evasion, Cromartie presided over one last City Council meeting and ended it with one last speech.

Click here to hear it.

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