COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republicans in the South Carolina General Assembly on Wednesday took the rare move of rejecting the only remaining candidate in a race to be a circuit judge — the 2018 Democratic nominee for governor.
James Smith’s nomination became an issue in recent days. When his unopposed nomination came up, Republican House Majority Leader Davey Hiott asked to send the race back to the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, which screens candidates.
Several Democrats said the move was unprecedented. But they could not stop it with parliamentary requests and overwhelmingly lost a vote on mostly party lines.
Smith and Columbia lawyer Justin Williams were both found qualified by the screening panel, but Williams dropped out of the race in January. Candidates often drop out when they determine their opponent has the support and likely votes of a majority of the 170-member General Assembly.
Was Dubai's apocalyptic storm SELF
Kylie Minogue looks effortlessly chic in a pink silk co
GRAND NATIONAL COUNTDOWN: Willie Mullins bullish over eight
The U.N. rights chief says eastern Congo's escalating violence is being forgotten by the world
5 arrested at dawn over freak accident at Hong Kong boy band Mirror concert
There's the Wallys! Darts fans brawl in the crowd
Video shows Victim Support worker 'bragging' about smacking his children
Lack of government experts sinking Lao energy and mines sector — Radio Free Asia
There's the Wallys! Darts fans brawl in the crowd