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Several influential members of the South Carolina Senate are considering amending the rules of the chamber as a means of ousting powerful judiciary chairman Luke Rankin, multiple sources familiar with the ongoing discussions have confirmed to this media outlet.
Rankin, an ostensible “Republican,” has held the chairmanship of the judiciary committee since late 2016. During that time, he has exerted outsized influence over the legislative process in the upper chamber of the S.C. General Assembly. Rankin has also enjoyed tremendous clout as a member of the scandal-scarred S.C. Judicial Merit Selection Commission (SCJMSC) – a secretive panel dominated by lawyer-legislators which controversially chooses the Palmetto State’s judges.
Rankin’s colleagues have become increasingly frustrated in recent years with the slow pace of his panel, sources familiar with the situation confirmed to this media outlet. Specifically, they have criticized his tendency to “sit” on bills – while lamenting his failure to communicate with them regarding his plans for specific legislation. In fact, we reported on some of these very issues during the recently concluded 2023-2024 legislative session – including Rankin stalling for months on the issue of judicial selection reform.
In conversations with this media outlet, lawmakers made it abundantly clear their issue was with Rankin personally, not his staff.
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“This is on him and him alone,” a senator who briefed us on the situation confirmed.
According to our sources, frustration over Rankin’s alleged obstinance – and evasion – has escalated in recent weeks.
What happens next?
Good question. Ousting a leader in the S.C. Senate is not as easy as ousting a leader in the House. In all likelihood, such a move would involve amending the chamber’s rules regarding seniority – and specifically seniority among members of the ruling “Republican” supermajority.
According to Senate rule 19(e), “the senior member of the committee from the majority party, in terms of seniority within the committee, shall be the chairman” of that committee. On the judiciary panel, that’s Rankin. The rules (.pdf) further state that senators who switch parties do not forfeit their committee assignments – nor do they lose their seniority status – so long as “a majority of the caucus to which the member switches” consents.
A longtime Democrat, Rankin switched to the GOP during the 2004 election.
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If Rankin cannot be convinced to voluntarily surrender his chairmanship, senators are considering amending the rules to force him out. One possible way to accomplish such a coup? Striking the existing rules and more explicitly linking seniority and partisan affiliation within the chamber. Such a change could result in Rankin being tied for seniority on the judiciary committee with state senator Chip Campsen of Charleston, S.C.
Were such a scenario to unfold, Campsen could wind up edging Rankin for the chairmanship due to the fact that his last name comes first alphabetically.
No, really.
“Where two or more members have equal continuous service they shall be listed in alphabetical order,” the rules state.
Our sources confirmed several rules changes were under consideration in the event Rankin were to refuse to give up the gavel, but they declined to discuss specifics. One thing is clear, though: The upcoming legislative session will require the adoption of new rules before it gavels to order in January 2025. And if these lawmakers have anything to do with it, those rules will result in Rankin losing his gavel – assuming he doesn’t voluntarily surrender it first.
This media outlet has been relentless in its criticism of Rankin over the years – and seeing him ousted from his powerful post would certainly be a positive development for the Palmetto State. This would be especially true as it relates to reformers’ efforts to restore public faith in the integrity of our judicial branch of government. Having said that, we will continue to track developments in this matter dispassionately and do our best to cover them as objectively as possible in the weeks and months to come.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina and before that he was a bass guitarist and dive bar bouncer. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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6 comments
Sen. Rankin is the main reason why people like the now Former Judge Bentley Douglas Price got on the bench and terrorized the community. They are from the same place but even more important they are exactly alike. Remove their Brooms Brothers ties and both could play the role of Seabass from Dumb and Dumber.
I hate auto correct. Brooms Brothers =Brooks Brothers. Maybe, I should have been in Dumb and Dumber. I would still be smarter than those two chuckleheads.
Happy Jack, you are hilarious!
There has to be improvement on the JMSC – it has drug on far too long since the Price situation brought it to the forefront. Rankin and Rutherford both need to go. I am so tired of these clowns not doing what they were elected to do. They are supposed to vote for their constituents views. ?
South Carolina would do good to get rid of POS Rankin. Thus far, it has been a good year for 2A rights advocates. We got rid of Katrina Shealy, Penry Gustafson, and Sandy Senn. Rankin has abused his position for far too long. Please, make it happen!
Rankin only has a 20% Freedom Index Score! I hardly think he can even be called a Republican! The Democrat politicians in South Carolina know they can’t get elected as Democrats, do they “switch” parties, but still vote like Democrats!