“the vice presidency is not worth a bucket of warm spit.” John Nance Garner – 1932

If you did not pay attention to the saga of the South Carolina Lieutenant Governor’s office, this is a lesson in legislation in itself.

Prior to 2018 the Lt Governor ran independently and was also the President of the SC Senate.  In the event the Lt Governor was removed from office or deceased the Chairman of Finance would take the role of President of the Senate and become the Lt  Governor.  The Lt Governor was also over the Department of Aging.

Currently, the Lt Governor runs on the ticket with the Governor just like the President of the United States and the Vice President but friends, it hasn’t always been that way.  Now the Lt Governor of South Carolina is the second-in-command to the Governor.  Beyond the responsibility to act or serve as governor in the event of the office’s vacancy, the duties of the Lt Governor are chiefly ceremonial for a salary of a little over $46,000.

Well…..

Having been elected Lt Governor in 2010 Ken Ard was removed subsequently removed from office for misuse of Campaign Finance Funds?  (I think he bought a dress or something!!)  Anyway, being a very strong observer of the Constitution, Senator Glenn McConnell gave up his position as Chairman of Finance and became President of the Senate on March 13, 2012 making him Lt Governor.  Now, knowing he did not want to run for Lt Governor in 2014, McConnell resigns on June 18, 2014 to become the President of the College of Charleston, leaving the office vacant.  Senator Hugh Leatherman was Chairman of Finance, but he did not want to lose his seniority and Finance seat (and considerable legislative power)  to become Lt Governor.  So, Leatherman temporarily resigned his chairmanship until Senator Yancey McGill, a Democrat, stepped up and became Lt Governor.  And Senator Leatherman was Chairman of Finance again.  McGill served until January 14, 2015.  I have several Yancey McGill pens and Challenge Coins!!

In November 2014, Nikki Haley was elected to the Governor’s Mansion and now Governor Henry McMaster became Lt Governor.  THEN, on January 24, 2017, Haley was appointed Ambassador to the United Nations and McMaster becomes Governor.  Once again, the Lt Governors spot is vacant.

As you can now see, no one really wants this job!

Up to bat next is the Senator from Anderson, Senator Kevin Bryant because we have to do the Finance shuffle again, so he becomes Lt.  Governor on January 25, 2017. 

South Carolina changed the law after the Great Lt Governor Boondoggle (which I am sure no one even noticed happen, but I did because my seniority changed every time it did).  

Between the Constitutional cleanup, people being removed for ethics violations or untimely deaths, seniority wasn’t as hard to achieve as I thought it would be. 

More to Come……