Issue Position: Judicial Reform

Issue Position

Our state is one of only two in the country where the legislature elects judges (the other is Virginia). But most of the time there's not even an actual vote. Decisions are made in the back rooms, and candidates without enough "commitments" are pressured to drop out of the race beforehand so there's only one favored candidate left to "elect." I believe this system at best creates conflicts of interests. At worst, I believe it can end up being rigged in favor of politically connected candidates, and is likely a major root of South Carolina's ethics turmoil in recent years. I am working with other conservatives in the House and Senate to end the practice of giving private "commitments" prior to a vote. In the long term, I support changing this antiquated system as a whole, instead allowing appointment of judges by the Governor with the advice and consent of the General Assembly, similar to the Federal structure outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

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