It’s easy to wonder what’s next for South Carolina politics, especially with the constant stream of “newbreaks” coming out of Columbia. As a former State Senator who served for 12 years, I can tell you there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that the public never hears about.
The truth is, in today’s digital age, nothing truly disappears. Legislators who have been in office for the last 15 years should know by now that computers and cell phones keep information forever. Deleting a text or an email doesn’t make it go away; the internet has a long memory. The recent headlines about personal misconduct have surely caused a lot of anxiety and “squirming” at home for many.
When I joined the Senate in 2012, I learned quickly that there are countless opportunities to get into trouble. There are temptations for financial gain, but there are also choices that can destroy your family. Every legislator has to decide why they came to Columbia in the first place. Did they come to get rich and party, or did they come to make a positive change for the people of South Carolina?
At a conference in Nashville, as I was walking through the hotel lobby, I saw a group of female attendees from South Carolina. They were dressed out like the fleet was in and they were behind on their rent. (These were some of the same “ladies” that professed moral righteousness during the abortion debate in the House.) When I suggested their appearance didn’t reflect well on South Carolina, I was vilified, mocked and labeled as judgmental. I won’t say I was humiliated, as was their intent, because only I can humiliate Katrina Shealy. And I didn’t.
In my time in the Senate I witnessed colleagues make unfortunate choices. Some who cheated on their families with staff members and lobbyists while others prioritized getting re-elected over what was best for the state. I didn’t serve to make friends; I served to do a job. I tried to talk to some of these people, but it usually ended with me losing their friendship.
The sad reality is that many of these individuals are still in office, and many have been for years. They continue to carry on adulterous affairs and backroom deals, and to them, it’s all just a game—a very expensive moral game that impacts them, their families, and the entire state.
I saw legislators sending inappropriate messages to people other than their spouses; sexist and racist comments; filthy jokes and remarks belying their politically crafted image of a person of great and unwavering religious faith. And some of this behavior was on the Senate floor!
A reported scandal involving a married member of the General Assembly is an example. Both the legislator and alleged paramour are on record as being dedicated to God and “the sanctity of family.”
What a shame, what a lying, hypocritical, self-serving, spit-in-the-voter’s-eye, hedonistic, carnal shame if it came to be true these strong family folk are not who they’ve claimed to be.
It’s necessary to understand these improprieties aren’t limited to personal gratification, but can result in a legislator being blackmailed into engaging in more and greater acts of misconduct. A “NAY” vote might quickly become “AYE” if a member is threatened with the revelation that he or she did something (or someONE) he or she shouldn’t have.
Now, this isn’t to say that all members are bad; there are many good people who serve with integrity. But as the old adage goes, “one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch.” The actions of a few can cast a long shadow over the entire institution, making it harder for the good ones to do their jobs and for the public to trust them.
I’m not so naive as to believe misconduct is isolated or exclusive to the South Carolina General Assembly, but that body is the one one most dear to me. These people represent MY state and these behaviors reflect negatively on MY state and the people I so proudly served. I don’t appreciate the stain on the Palmetto State’s reputation and nor should any South Carolinian.
So, what’s next? That’s up to us. We need to demand more from our leaders. We need to elect people who are there for the right reasons—people who understand that true leadership is not about personal gain but about serving the people who elected them.
WHILE I BREATHE 