Wednesday, Nov. 05, 2008

3 women lose; S.C. Senate again all-male

South Carolina has earned a new dubious title: the only state with an all-male Senate.

Tuesday, all three female candidates vying for seats in the upper chamber were defeated.

• Lancaster attorney Mandy Powers Norrell lost to Republican attorney Mick Mulvaney in York County’s District 16.

• Sumter school board member Karen Michalik was defeated by Republican incumbent Phil Leventis in Sumter County’s District 35.

• Former Lexington County Rep. Margaret Gamble lost to Democratic incumbent Nikki Setzler in Lexington County’s District 26 race.

Earlier this year, the only two women in the senate vacated their seats. Chester Sen. Linda Short retired, and Beaufort Sen. Catherine Ceips was defeated in the June primary.

Rep. Joan Brady, a Richland County Republican and incoming chairwoman of the Women Legislative Caucus, said Tuesday’s results were disappointing.

“Women do have a different perspective that is needed in the Legislature,” Brady said. “They look at the bigger picture. They look at issues from a family perspective.”

It’s also an equity issue. Women represent more than half of the state’s population.

Prior to Tuesday’s vote, South Carolina already ranked last among states in terms of women in elected office.

The 46-member chamber has not been all male since 1980, when Elizabeth Patterson, wholater served in the U.S. House of Representatives, took a seat in the state Senate. There are no women in federal or constitutional office in the Palmetto State.

Reach Smith at (803) 771-8658.

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