Suitors lining up to succeed Bobby Harrell as SC House speaker

At least four House leaders, including the second-highest ranking state representative, are looking to succeed embattled S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell.

The candidates started lining up as some legislators said Wednesday that Harrell should step down as speaker after the Charleston Republican’s indictment on campaign finance charges.

“A leader needs to know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em,” said state Rep. Gary Simrill, assistant majority leader of House Republicans. “It’s an extremely difficult place to be in leadership position under indictment.”

Two former House majority leaders – Republicans Kenny Bingham of Lexington and Jim Merrill of Berkeley – also said Harrell should step aside as speaker.

Both also said they are interested in running for speaker if the post becomes open.

“I’ve have been talking to (House) members today about restoring trust in our institution,” said Bingham, who chairs the House Ethics Committee.

Rep. Brian White, the Anderson Republican who chairs the House’s powerful budget writing committee, also was making calls to gauge whether he has the backing necessary to become the House boss, two state representatives said. Efforts to reach White were unsuccessful.

But the front-runner for speaker, in the opinion of many legislators, is the House’s second in command, Speaker Pro Tempore Jay Lucas. Lucas, R-Darlington, said he was gathering support Wednesday.

“It would be his race to lose,” House Judiciary Committee chairman Greg Delleney, R-Chester, said of Lucas. “He’s well-liked and well-respected in the House.”

Rep. Garry Smith, R-Greenville, said Lucas, a Hartsville attorney, has earned a reputation for his in-depth knowledge of issues and ability to explain them clearly to other House members. “He’s an outgoing person who is easy to get along with.”

Lucas said Harrell has to make his own decision about stepping down as speaker, but he expects Harrell to suspend himself. With that suspension, Lucas said he would take on Harrell’s duties as acting speaker.

The GOP-controlled House will meet to elect a new speaker after the November election. Lucas said he did not think Harrell could run for speaker if he’s under suspension, though state law and House rules say nothing specifically about that issue.

“I was pulling for Speaker Harrell to get through this,” Lucas said. “Unfortunately, we are at a place where we need to get on the right path to move forward.”

Harrell did not announce any plans to step aside in a statement released Wednesday.

The S.C. House clerk’s office is reviewing the indictments to see if any of the charges would require Harrell’s suspension. State law says a House member indicted for felonies or crimes that carry a prison sentence of at least two years or violations of state election laws must be suspended without pay. No timetable for the review was released.

Harrell’s indictment is another blow to Charleston’s political power. Four years ago, South Carolina’s governor, Senate president pro tempore and House speaker all were from Charleston.

Today, only Harrell remains in power.

If Lucas succeeds Harrell, it would consolidate more political power in South Carolina’s oft-forgotten Pee Dee region. Like Lucas, Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, elected Senate leader this year, is from the Pee Dee.

This story was originally published September 10, 2014 at 9:06 PM with the headline "Suitors lining up to succeed Bobby Harrell as SC House speaker."