State Supreme Court race narrows to two candidates. Here’s who dropped out
Richland County Judge Jocelyn Newman, the lone Black candidate nominated to become the next state Supreme Court justice, has withdrawn from the race.
Lawmakers will vote June 5 on who will take over the seat held by Associate Justice John Kittredge, who is becoming the chief justice. Lawmakers were able to start committing on who they planned to vote for last week.
Newman, a Black woman, was one of the three candidates nominated by the Judicial Merit Selection Commission to be voted on by the General Assembly.
JMSC staff confirmed Newman withdrew from the race Tuesday. Newman is the daughter of retired Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman
According to House leaders tracking the vote, Appeals Court Judge Letitia Verdin had more than 100 lawmaker votes already locked up, giving her a healthy lead over Newman and Appeals Court Judge Blake Hewitt, of Conway.
The court is currently composed of all men. Verdin would become the only woman on the court if her lead holds.
Verdin was elected to the Family Court as a resident judge in the 13th Judicial Circuit which covers Greenville and Pickens County, in 2008.
In 2011, she was elected to the Circuit Court and then to the Court of Appeals in 2023. Prior to that she worked as an assistant solicitor.
This story was originally published May 28, 2024 at 2:52 PM.
