By fitsnews – January 26, 2010
By FITSNews || The nation’s only independently-elected Adjutant General is stepping down after nearly two decades in office.
S.C. Adjutant General Stan Spears – first elected in 1994 – announced Tuesday morning that he will not seek reelection in 2010.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the South Carolina National Guard and see the organization elevated to one of the finest in the country,” Spears said in a letter provided to reporters.
The news comes just days after Spears, 72, abruptly abruptly canceled a campaign kickoff event – a story which broke exclusively here on FITS.
The front-runner to replace him?
Judging by campaign finance filings and support from the S.C. National Guard, that would have to be Major General Bob Livingston – a West Columbia native and decorated veteran.
Whoever inherits the post, though, we maintain that the office should be appointed by future governors – particularly seeing as its responsibilities fall under the governor’s office during emergency actions, anyway.
