Palmetto State News

Sen. Thomas Alexander was unanimously elected to be the next president of the state’s Senate.

Many members support the decision.

“He embodied the state Senate as well as anyone I have known,” said Sen. Nikki Setzler, a Democrat from West Columbia who is the Senate's longest-serving member at 45 years, to the Sumter Item.

Alexander joined the senate in October of 1994. After getting his new title, he left his position as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Former president, Sen. Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee) resigned from his role to take over as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Late Sen. Hugh Leatherman held the chairmanship for that committee until his passing in November. According to the Senate rules, a committee chairman cannot hold the presidency.

“We thank Sen. Peeler for his devoted leadership over the South Carolina Senate during his time as Senate president, and look forward to working with him as he transitions into his role as chairman of Finance,” Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto said to WNCT 9. “We also congratulate Sen. Alexander as he steps up as Senate president, and welcome the opportunity to work with him moving forward. His experience and wisdom will serve the people of South Carolina well as he leads the Senate.”

Tom Davis became the new chairman of the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.

“I just became the new chairman of the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee of the South Carolina Senate,” he wrote on Twitter. “I appreciate the confidence in me expressed by my Senate colleagues and I look forward to working on comprehensive occupational licensure and industry regulation reform.”