LET THE VOTE TRADING BEGIN!
A judicial screening panel plagued by controversy in recent weeks has approved three candidates to stand for legislative election to the S.C. Supreme Court.
The S.C. Judicial Merit Selection Commission – which recently underwent a political makeover at the behest of all-powerful S.C. Senate leader Hugh Leatherman – has given state lawmakers three judges to choose from in the race to fill the associate justice position vacated by Costa Pleicones, who will take over as chief justice for one year beginning on January 1, 2016.
The three candidates are Ralph King “Tripp” Anderson, chief judge of the state’s administrative law court, John Few, chief judge of the S.C. court of appeals and Bruce Williams, an appeals court judge.
Sources tell us Few is the early frontrunner for the post, although Leatherman will reportedly push hard to get Anderson elected. Also Few was badly dinged up by the rumor mill during a failed bid for the Supreme Court back in 2009 – when Leatherman was successful in getting Kaye Hearn appointed to the bench.
Will the same rumors sink Few a second time?
We’ll have to see …
As for Williams, he barely qualified for the race – going to the fifth ballot with fellow court of appeals judge Aphrodite Konduras. Of course he could conceivably emerge as a compromise candidate in the event another thermonuclear war breaks out between the top two picks.
The only guarantee in this process? That nothing will be above boards … even though leaders in the S.C. House of Representatives claim they are making judicial reform a priority this coming year.
Yeah. We’ll believe that when we see it …
This website has repeatedly railed against judicial corruption in South Carolina – especially the notoriously corrupt process of legislative elections.
We believe the state’s judges should be appointed by future governors, with the S.C. Senate providing advice and consent …
Until that happens, expect to see legislative favor trading continue to dominate this process.
13 comments
Even in it’s darkest hours during reconstruction, then when South Carolina had Ben Tillman and Cole Blease was there were a Supreme Court Justice and Chief Justice as corrupt as Jean Hoefer Toal. Now,she is having the state renovate a deluxe suite for her in the Calhoun Building right there on the State House grounds.
Ironically, Bruce Williams is probably the most qualified of this pathetic bunch. The sad part is that he is the least likely to be influenced by legislators and others wanting special favors. That makes him in 5th place of this crowd. So sad.
Agree – Judge Williams is fair, not in the least bit beholden to Toal or any legislator. He can’t be bought. He started the drug court program when he was a Family Court Judge, and he is a thoughtful and decent gentleman. He is highly regarded, well qualified, very smart, and is a natural leader, by his actions and words. He was President of his class at Wofford, and a successful family lawyer before becoming a judge. He doesn’t cheat on his wife, doesn’t drink too much, and actually cares about the Rule of Law and the independence of the judiciary. In other words, he has a snowball’s chance.
Jean Toal and Bobby Harrell exposed during the last judicial election which senators can be bought (Tom Davis, Chip Campsen, Wes Hayes…) and which legislators (long list). So all candidates should just start there when campaigning.
Has David Beasley been lobbying for his cousin, John Few?
As far as John Few being a Republican…LOL
Who the hell names their kid “Aphrodite”?!
Sounds like a black stripper’s name.
Afrodite’aye
She’s Greek.
Good one! Gotta love them Greeks!
Your party of choice comes from what county you are running in!
Few is a drunken poon-hound, which means he’d fill the drunken poon-hound void that will be left when Toal retires.
Hugh Leatherman is to “ethics” as drunk Raghead-Shilling-Crony Favoritism Giving-Jean Toal is to “DUI hit-and-run”
And less the faithful 20…the flag-ripping SC House is to “re-election” as a “snowball in Hell” is to “fork time—DONE” !!!