Katon Dawson

Katon Edwards Dawson (b. February 29, 1956) is an American politician from the state of South Carolina and is current chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party.

Early life

Dawson was born in Columbia, S.C. In then-heavily Democratic South Carolina, his parents helped organizes the state's first GOP precincts. Dawson traces his political interest to attending a Barry Goldwater speech in 1964, and first volunteered for Richard Nixon's 1968 presidential campaign.

Dawson graduated from the University of South Carolina. He is president and general manager of a family-owned auto parts distributor, Burns Auto Parts and Supply Inc.Adcox, Seanna, [http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/aug/12/gop_chairman_relishes_putting_state_limelight/ "GOP chairman relishes putting state in limelight"] , AP, August 12, 2007.]

Political career

Dawson was elected Richland County GOP vice chairman in 1994 and state party chair 2002.

In 2006, despite nationwide losses by the Republican party, the South Carolina GOP carried eight of nine statewide constitutional offices. [Goldsmith, Brian [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/17/politics/politicalplayers/main3726059.shtml S.C. GOP Chair Says Electability is Key] , CBS News, January 18, 2008.]

In August 2007 Dawson drew national attention for his decision to move the 2008 South Carolina Republican presidential primary from Feb. 2 to January 29, preserving the state's "first in the South" primary. In every election since 1980, the winner of the South Carolina primary has won the Republican presidential nomination. [Preston, Mark [http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/09/sc.gop.primary/index.html South Carolina GOP moves up primary, adds to 2008 scramble] ] , CNN.com, August 9, 2007.]

Dawson became the first state Republican chair to endorse the "Drill Here. Drill Now. Pay Less." campaign launched by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's organization American Solutions. [Slade, David. [http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jul/10/gop_head_backs_oil_drilling47041/ GOP head backs oil drilling] , Charleston "Post and Courier", July 10, 2008.]

Dawson has been mentioned as potential candidate for chairman of the Republican National Committee. [McPike, Erin. [http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/10/scs_dawson_eyes.html SC's Dawson Eyes RNC Post] , "The Hotline", October 3, 2007.] [Cillizza, Chris. [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/01/the_race_within_the_republican.html The Race Within the Republican Race] , The Fix, washingtonpost.com, January 14, 2008.]

Personal Life

Dawson lives with his wife Candy in Columbia, S.C. They have two children, Anna and Katon Jr.

ee also

*South Carolina Republican Party

References

External links

* [http://www.scgop.com/about/chairman.aspx Message from SCGOP Chairman Katon Dawson] -- official South Carolina Republican Party website
* [http://projects.newsobserver.com/tags/katon_dawson Raleigh-Durham News & Observer] Katon Dawson tag index
* [http://content.usatoday.com/community/tags/topic.aspx?req=tag&tag=Katon%20Dawson USA Today] Katon Dawson tag index
* [http://www.thenextright.com/category/blog-tags/katon-dawson The Next Right] Katon Dawson tag index