Replacing Sen. Jim DeMint

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)

Yesterday, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) stunned the political world by announcing his intent to resign from the U.S. Senate in January to accept a job as president of The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington, DC.  His division to walk away from the Senate comes four years before his second term was to expire and, apparently, two years earlier than most political watchers expected.  DeMint had indicated that he did not plan to run for a third term leaving most observers expecting a 2014 early departure if he did not intend to complete the term.

South Carolina law dictates that the governor shall appoint a replacement.  That means the task falls to Gov. Nikki Haley.  She posted the following on her Facebook page about how she will approach making her choice:

Nothing about that statement should be surprising to anyone.  She's the governor, she's Republican and to think she would appoint someone who was not Republican or of like mind would be naive.  Here's what stands out: "I will appoint a person who has the same philosophy of government that Jim DeMint and I share."  First, if Jim DeMint wants to ensure someone who shares his philosophy is in the seat, he should stay.  I am not a fan of DeMint's politics but he was elected by a majority of South Carolina voters.

Two SC State Representatives named to TIME Magazine's "40 Under 40" list

The Woolfolk Group congratulates State Representatives Bakari Sellers (D-Orangeburg/Bamberg) and Nikki Haley (R-Lexington) on their selection to TIME Magazine's "40 Under 40 Rising Stars of U. S. Politics" list,  published in the latest issue of TIME which hit newsstands today.  The list is also available online.

Rep. Bakari Sellers
(D) Bamberg

"This truly is an awesome honor and it would not have been possible without my family, friends, and the great people of District 90," said Sellers.  "Here in South Carolina, we've had more than our fair share of negative attention lately.  Being recognized for something positive is a nice change of pace."

Sellers, 26, is the second youngest member of the South Carolina General Assembly,  First elected in 2006 at the age of 22, Sellers also serves as First Vice Chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party.  A graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Sellers is the son of civil rights activist Dr. Cleveland Sellers, who serves as president of Voorhees College.

Rep. Nikki Haley
(R) Lexington

Haley, 38, is the 2010 Republican nominee for South Carolina governor.   She is a fiscal conservative who was first elected to the General Assembly in 2004. In TIME Magazine, Haley cited former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as her political inspiration.

Haley faces Sen. Vincent Sheheen (D-Kershaw) in the November election for governor.