Columbia-area Democrats stood to argue as South Carolina judicial elections took a dramatic turn Wednesday, April 17, 2024, during a joint session of the state House and Senate. The controversy came after GOP lawmakers broke with precedent to pass over a former House Democrat and Columbia lawyer for a circuit court seat, opting to restart the application process. (Screenshot from SCETV legislative livestream)
COLUMBIA — South Carolina’s judicial elections took a dramatic turn Wednesday after GOP lawmakers broke with precedent to reject a former House Democrat and Columbia lawyer for an uncontested Circuit Court seat, choosing instead to restart the application and screening process.
James Smith, 56, was the sole candidate for the Fifth Circuit seat after his lone contender dropped out in January. But rather than taking the traditional route of unanimously electing Smith, Republicans pushed — by a vote of 94-58 — to start the process over again instead of allowing the Democrat to take the bench.