GOP Wants to Finish Takeover of S.C.

South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Matt Moore shares some striking political data when he visits local party meetings. In a state where the GOP holds most statewide offices and congressional and state legislative seats, Democrats still have a grip on the counties. Democrats also outnumber Republicans as sheriffs, coroners and auditors.

Moore wants to change that in 2014. His goal in next year's elections is to flip as many of the 46 counties and local offices he can to Republican control, completing a transformation that started nearly 50 years ago when Strom Thurmond startled the state by switching from Democrat to Republican.

Other Southern states like Tennessee are also trying to complete Republican transformations.