Political underhandedness, or simple savvy?

There's been something of a controversy over Jason Whinghter, a Republican candidate for North Augusta City Councilman. From AikenOnline:

In the eyes of some Aiken County Republicans, the 27-year-old North Augusta City Council candidate may be a little too quick and keen.

They point to Mr. Whinghter's deft footwork on the last filing day for the April 26 race, a day when eight-year incumbent Phil Mottel forgot to file his papers with the North Augusta Republican Party.

Instead of dialing up Mr. Mottel, a fellow Republican, with a reminder that Jan. 10 was the deadline, Mr. Whinghter stepped down as the city's party chairman and declared his own candidacy.

With Mr. Mottel out of the picture, Mr. Whinghter is a prohibitive favorite to win one of the three at-large seats up for grabs in this bastion of Republican politics.