At least 3 candidates for SC schools chief lack master’s degrees, 2 drop out
Two Republican candidate for South Carolina superintendent of education have dropped out and one other will stay in the race for the June 14 primary, despite the fact that all three of them do not meet one of the legal requirements to hold the statewide office.
The South Carolina Republican Party will allow Palmetto Promise President Ellen Weaver to stay on the ballot for superintendent of education even though neither currently meets the requirement of having a master’s degree, as outlined by state law.
Meanwhile, Republican Sheri Few withdrew from the race because she also does not have a master’s degree, she posted on her Facebook page. North Charleston resident Cindy Coats also withdrew, the State Election Commission said.
The state Republican Party on Tuesday certified seven candidates for the statewide office: Weaver, Coats, Travis Bedson of North Charleston, Bryan Chapman of Florence, Kizzi Gibson of Lexington, Lynda Leventis-Wells of Greenville, and Palmetto State Teachers Association Executive Director Kathy Maness.
Democrats certified Gary Burgess of Columbia, SC for Ed founder Lisa Ellis and state Rep. Jerry Govan, D-Orangeburg, to be on the ballot.
The crowded field comes after state schools Superintendent Molly Spearman announced last year that she is not running for reelection this year.
State law requires that the superintendent have a master’s degree and experience in education.
Fundraising leader Weaver told the Charleston Post and Courier last week she recently started a master’s program at Western Governors’ University, an online school. Weaver said she expected to complete the program by the general election.
“While we know that letters behind your name are no substitute for bold leadership and common sense, I am excited by this opportunity to show our students what it looks like to be a lifelong learner,” Weaver said. “I plan to lead by example and want them to know that they too can accomplish anything they set their mind to.”
The state Republican Party said every candidate in the race is aware of the requirements to hold the office.
“Each candidate received notice of the qualifications, and the November deadline for those qualifications from the State Election Commission and South Carolina Republican Party,” said Claire Brady, spokeswoman with the South Carolina Republican Party. “The candidates have certified that they either currently meet or will meet those qualifications by the general election in November.”
Brady said the party is not worried it is gambling that one of its top candidates won’t have the required degree by the general election, potentially leaving the office to a Democrat.
“We’ve done our due diligence,” Brady said, declining to comment further.
Weaver has maintained a fundraising lead since she entered the race in November. She reported receiving $127,000 in contributions through the end of last year.
Maness, the executive director of the Palmetto State Teachers Association, has raised about $11,000.
The other candidates in the race each have raised less than $10,000 or have not filed fundraising reports with the State Ethics Commission.
What the State Election Commission will do if Weaver wins the general election and still hasn’t completed a master’s degree remains to be seen.
“Currently, this is a hypothetical but would certainly be a unique situation,” Chris Whitmire, spokesman for the State Election Commission, said in an email. “If at some point the issue appears likely to present itself, the SEC would seek legal advice at that time to determine the appropriate course of action.”
This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 1:38 PM.
