Leader of SC election agency withdraws from consideration for top job. What we know

Following months of leadership changes at South Carolina’s election agency, the commission’s appointment for the top job withdrew from consideration, according to a letter obtained by The State.

Jenny Wooten had been chosen by the South Carolina Election Commission in December to permanently lead the agency following the ouster and arrest of former executive director Howard Knapp. The appointment just needed approval from the state Senate.

But Wooten took her name out of consideration to be the next permanent executive director, according to a letter sent to the state Election Commission dated March 5.

“After prayerful reflection and careful consideration, I have made the decision to withdraw my application at this time,” Wooten wrote in the letter. “It has been an honor to be considered for this role and a privilege to serve the agency and the citizens of South Carolina as Interim Director,”

No explanation for her withdrawal was given in the letter. Wooten will continue to serve as acting director until the commission makes another appointment, the letter said.

Wooten has served as interim director of the agency since September after Knapp was fired by the commission.

Knapp was arrested in October. Warrants from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division show he was charged with misconduct while in office, embezzlement and ethics violations. Former deputy director Paige Salonich was also fired from the agency days after Knapp and later charged with wiretapping.

Election Commission chairman Robert Bolchoz thanked Wooten for her leadership during a meeting Monday afternoon.

“I just wanted to thank you, before we depart, for being willing to kind of keep the ship right and moving in the right direction while we go through this process,” Bolchoz said.

The commission’s former chairman Dennis Shedd also resigned earlier this year, marking more turnover in the agency responsible for administering the state’s elections.