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by WILL FOLKS
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In a textbook example of South Carolina’s legislative branch meddling with the state’s ostensibly independent judiciary, Palmetto State lawmakers forced the ouster of a supreme court justice who dared to disagree with them earlier this year.
The compulsory resignation of associate S.C. supreme court justice John Few this spring was more than just the vindictive removal of a capable and independent jurist – it was the latest example of how separation of powers does not exist under the Palmetto State’s current legislative tyranny.
Not to mention the latest warning to judges that dissent will not be tolerated…
The branch of government that makes the laws in South Carolina continues to exert undue influence – and apply unseemly political pressure – over the other branches. This is particularly true of the judiciary, which has become little more than an annex of the S.C. General Assembly.
South Carolina is one of only two states in America in which legislators pick judges – and the only state in the nation where lawmakers control the nominating process preceding these legislative elections. Not surprisingly, this incestuous method has produced rampant corruption – while materially eroding public safety and shattering public faith in the “integrity” of the system.
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As our audience may recall, Few enraged lawmakers in 2023 when he forced them to go back to the drawing board and rewrite a controversial abortion statute. Falsely accused of judicial activism, the fact is Few faithfully interpreted the state constitution – which lawmakers belatedly acknowledged when they passed a new abortion statute two years later.
Few made them follow the law… something they clearly don’t like being made to do.
He stood up for the rule of law… which, in the eyes of legislators, meant he had to go.
Now, the race is underway to replace him. This week, the S.C. Judicial Merit Selection Commission (SCJMSC) – the much-maligned, legislatively controlled panel responsible for choosing judges in South Carolina – issued its notice of public hearings ahead of next year’s legislative elections.
That list (.pdf) included five contenders for Few’s seat, which he vacated on July 31, 2026.
Those contenders are:
- Ralph K. Anderson III, chief judge of the S.C. Administrative Law Court (SCALC)
- John D. Geathers, associate judge of the S.C. court of appeals
- Eugene C. “Bubba” Griffith Jr., S.C. circuit court judge
- Blake A. Hewitt, associate judge of the S.C. court of appeals
- Maite Murphy, S.C. circuit court judge
The same candidate release noted two uncontested “elections” for the state’s court of appeals and sixteen uncontested races for circuit court seats around the Palmetto State.
Public hearings on these candidates are set to begin on Monday, November 16, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. EST – with those wishing to testify required to “furnish written notarized statements of (their) proposed testimony to the S.C. Judicial Merit Selection Commission (SCJMSC) no later than 12:00 p.m. EDT on November 2, 2026.
FITSNews has covered several high-profile cases involving Anderson and Griffith. We also previously covered Murphy’s failed bid for the supreme court in 2022 during her marriage to former S.C. House judiciary chairman Chris Murphy.
It’s not immediately clear which of the five judges is considered the favorite to replace Few, but one thing is clear – the seat will be decided by politics, not merit. If the best judge wins, it won’t be for the right reasons.
How should judges be selected in South Carolina?
Our media outlet has previously proposed a hybrid method consisting of gubernatorial appointment, the advice and consent of the S.C. Senate and regular retention elections. Such an approach would create an infinitely more balanced selection process – as well as a direct line of accountability to the public.
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THE CANDIDATES…
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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. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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