Investigation Underway for Senate Candidate Ben Carper
GREENVILLE — Authorities are looking into state Senate candidate Ben Carper after a private investigation raised questions about his residency. The investigation was initiated by allies of his Republican primary opponent, State Representative Jason Elliott.
Documents shared by Elliott’s team allege that Carper mistakenly changed his address on his driver’s license and registered to vote at a rental property he owns within District 6, even though he actually resides in District 7. Elliott’s lawyer, Sloan Ellis, stated in a letter to Solicitor Walt Wilkins, "We believe Mr. Carper voted using a South Carolina Driver’s License that lists an address where he does not, and has never, lived."
The solicitor’s office has not yet commented on this letter or the potential for an investigation. In addition to the political fallout if Carper is living outside the district, Elliott’s attorney is urging Wilkins and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to explore the possibility of voter fraud, a serious allegation.
In response to the claims, Carper strongly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he has owned the property in District 6 for four years and has multiple vehicles registered at that address. "I have followed the letter of the law," he stated.
Carper, who is a known real estate broker in Greenville and the host of a local gospel radio show, emphasizes that his residency is in District 6 based on the address on his driver’s license. A representative from SLED indicated that, as of June 13, there is no current investigation into Carper.
The private investigator hired by Elliott reportedly conducted in-person and GPS surveillance of Carper’s vehicle over a week and a half in late May, gathering evidence for the claims.
