S.C. Senate leader won't become lieutenant governor
COLUMBIA — Hugh Leatherman's announcement that he'll try to remain leader of the S.C. Senate — while not becoming lieutenant governor when Gov. Nikki Haley leaves office — threw the Statehouse into chaos Monday.
His decision raises questions whether the Florence Republican will let the state’s No. 2 seat remain vacant for two years, or kick-start a new constitutional amendment that could allow the governor to appoint the lieutenant governor.
The surprise declaration shows that the 85-year-old Leatherman wants to keep the job that helps make him the state’s most powerful lawmaker, instead of taking a post with less political influence.
Leatherman told senators in a letter Monday he planned to seek re-election next week as the Senate president pro tempore. The note came hours after he released a separate statement that said, "I will not leave my Senate seat to serve as Lieutenant Governor."
Read more: http://www.postandcourier.com/news/s-c-senate-leader-won-t-become-lieutenant-governor/article_82c70370-b59a-11e6-aabc-3b719fed2227.html
