U.S. Rep. Tim Scott has been chosen by South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to fill Jim DeMint’s Senate seat, making Scott the only African-American in the Senate and the first black Republican senator since Reconstruction.
Gov. Haley made the announcement Monday morning at the State House in an anointing ceremony attended by nearly all of the Palmetto State’s congressional delegation. DeMint, who had personally lobbied for Haley to choose Scott, called his successor “a principled leader [who] will make an outstanding senator for the people of the South Carolina and an important voice for conservatives across the nation.”
After the announcement, Scott wasted no time in preparing for the 2014 special election by sending a fundraising email to his supporters. “We must work together to stand up to the big spenders in Washington,” he said. “Will you join with me by donating what you can? I have set a goal of reaching 10,000 contributors in 48 hours and would appreciate your help.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Joe “You Lie” Wilson — whom Scott referred to as the “Scoutmaster” of South Carolina’s congressional delegation — posted a graphic offering his congratulations to Scott. Or, we should say, his “congratualtions”:
It’s worth noting that the governor didn’t actually have to appoint anyone at all. Though South Carolina is one of the few states which still lets its governor fill Senate vacancies, there’s nothing in the state law which requires it. Instead, Haley could simply call a special election herself and put the decision into the hands of voters.
Here’s the relevant sections of the U.S. Constitution and South Carolina law (emphasis added):
U.S. Constitution, Amendment 17: When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
SC law, Section 7-19-20: In case of a vacancy in the office of United States Senator from death, resignation or otherwise, the Governor may fill the place by appointment which shall be for the period of time intervening between the date of such appointment and January third following the next succeeding general election. But in the event any such vacancy shall occur less than one hundred days prior to any general election, the appointment shall be for the period of time intervening between the date of such appointment and January third following the second general election next succeeding. The Governor shall within five days after any such appointment order an election to be held in connection with and at the time of the general election immediately preceding the expiration date of such appointment if at the expiration of such appointment an unexpired term shall remain.
(This is an open letter to the Honorable Tim Scott, S.C. Senator Appoint, The Post and Courier, The State newspaper, and other media outlets.)
Mr. Scott,
My name is Prestom L. Howard. I was born in Greenville and I’ve lived in the Charleston area since I was 7. I am 56 years old. I have been self employed for almost all of my adult life. For over 20 years I have been a Water Well Driller serving the lower third of our beautiful state. My work keeps me in touch with South Carolinians of all walks of life as well as many people who live out of state but own property here. I have beautiful, successful, grown children who are themselves college graduates, attorneys, soldiers, and South Carolinians. At times I’ve considered running for public office myself.
My purpose for writing is very simple. I need your help as do thousands of other South Carolinians. I have no medical insurance and I live in constant fear of having a serious medical issue. My health is generally good but because I have an elevated PSA level and a very minor history of arthritis I am unable to secure medical insurance. I am sure you are fully aware of how the general population is abused by the insurance industry as you are an insurance agent yourself. As such you are in a unique position to do something about it.
Our president has tried to help as much as possible but was able to get only a fraction of what should have been done accomplished because of the powerful insurance lobby. All of this is a tremendous insult especially when we have to endure watching the State of the State address with my good friend Bobby Harrell sitting behind the governor’s right shoulder… himself being a State Farm agent the same as you. I say good friend because he is. Bobby is a good man and a good friend though I wish we could be closer.
While other states are well on their way to providing affordable health care by creating “co-ops” as mandated by The Affordable Health Care Act, our state, and particullarly your predecessor, have done nothing but try to thwart every effort our president has made to help us. All of this has of course been done so that a very small percentage of the wealthiest Americans can continue to line their pockets at the expense of the great majority of Americans like myself.
My observation is simple and simple to understand. With the tremendous amount of knowledge and experience that you, the Speaker, and other members of our state legislature have concerning insurance matters we should be leading the nation in the effort to provide affordable health insurance solutions. Instead, you have done little except to deter every effort put forth by one of the most admirable presidents in our nations history. To be honest I expect that you will continue to do nothing. I simply fail to understand how you and your cohorts manage to deceive the thousands of good citizens in our state… and continue to garner their vote! Amazing.
Perhaps the fact that you are a freshman Representative with very few accomplishments and were just gifted with one of the top 151 positions in all of government will cause you to have some meaningful reflection on your responsibly as Senator. You have very large shoes to fill. It’s all about the people for which you have done little other than try to prevent them from obtaining affordable health care so you and your contributors may continue to profit. I’m wondering if you have any conscience at all.
I could certainly continue for hours but I will conclude with this simple request. Please make every effort to present your (now statewide) constituency with some meaningful, effective response to the mandate as outlined in the Affordable Health Care Act. Honestly our state is so woefully ignorant and apethetic about the policies that effect our very own lives that I expect you to continue more of the same… which is of course to continue lining the pockets of your campaign contributors and yourself.
I might add as well that our streets and sidewalks on Johns Island are pathetic. I never heard your name mentioned once as I read about the demise of Folly Beach County Park last week. And as I read the list of meager accomplishments you have on your web site I fail to see one meaningful piece of legislation that you have introduced. It does appear however that you would sell out the states citizenry and our environment without hesitation. Apparently that would be for the personal gain of your financial backers.
I am Preston L. Howard, a flag waving South Carolinian and American.
Phoward442@aol.com