Trump nominates Peter McCoy of Charleston for new US Attorney for SC
Lowcountry lawmaker Peter McCoy is set to become the next United States attorney for the state of South Carolina.
Late Wednesday, President Donald Trump nominated the Republican state representative to the seat previously held by Sherri Lydon, now a federal judge.
McCoy, 41, a Charleston native, still must be recommended by the Senate Judiciary Committee and approved by the full Senate. Committee chairman US Sen. Lindsey Graham said Tuesday he is confident McCoy will be confirmed.
The process usually takes at least several months.
“I very much appreciate President Trump nominating Peter McCoy to be the new U.S. Attorney for the state of South Carolina,” Graham said. “Peter is a talented lawyer and is well respected throughout our state. He has been a valuable member of the state legislature and has the experience and judgment to be an outstanding U.S. Attorney,” Graham said.
If Trump loses the November presidential election, a new president would likely pick a new U.S. Attorney. However, the post is regarded as such a prestigious plum, that even serving only several months as a U.S. attorney would add to McCoy’s resume and future legal fees he could collect.
And McCoy’s House seat is regarded as one of the few Republican seats that Democrats have a chance of picking up in November’s election. Democrats were tweeting gleefully about that possibility Wednesday night after the news of McCoy’s nomination spread.
To be nominated for US Attorney, a lawyer usually must have the backing of both U.S. senators from a state.
McCoy is currently chairman of the House Judiciary Committee — a post he would have to give up should he get the job.
McCoy is a former assistant prosecutor in the 9th Judicial Circuit.
