Alvin Greene to run for S.C. state House

Alvin Greene, the unemployed military veteran who won the Democratic nomination to face Sen. Jim DeMint (R) this fall, has filed to run for South Carolina’s state House. 

Greene, who lost to DeMint by over 30 percentage points, paid the $165 entry fee five minutes after the filing period opened on Christmas Eve to run in a special election to replace the late state Rep. Cathy Harvin (D), according to The Associated Press. 

His surprise primary victory over presumptive nominee Vic Rawls prompted calls from Democrats to investigate the election results, but he remained on the ticket through the general election.

In the midst of the campaign in August, Greene was indicted by a South Carolina jury for allegedly showing pornography to a college student. He declined to drop out of the race, and one of his first campaign speeches lasted a mere 23 seconds. 

Greene got into trouble again when a companion of his got into a restaurant altercation with officials from a local Democratic group, resulting in the ejection of Greene and his associates. 

The candidate was also known for more lighthearted moments, such as his suggestion that manufacturing action figures of himself could create jobs. 

A primary for the state House race will be held Feb. 15 and the special election will take place on April 5.