5 Things That Happened In SC Politics This Week: Senate Struggles, Switched Votes, And Strippers

'Twas an exceptionally crazy week in the Palmetto State

1. This isn't the "Volunteer State"

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For the first time in 20 years, a Democrat now sits in the Lieutenant Governor's Office. Although it was more by default than any great victory for party leaders.

It all began when previous Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell announced he would resign this month to become the College of Charleston's next president. The state constitution requires the Senate President Pro Tempore to take his place. But the man holding that position, Sen. John Courson, R-Richland, did not want what was effectively a demotion to the largely-ceremonial job for only six months. So he resigned.

But that left no one to take the state's #2 office. And no one seemed to want it. Finally, in stepped Sen. J. Yancey McGill, D-Williamsburg, a veteran lawmaker who narrowly survived reelection in 2012. McGill offered to run for President Pro Tem, effectively putting himself into the Lt. Gov's office once McConnell resigned.

But Republicans did not want to give up their seat easily. They blocked a vote on Tuesday as they quickly met to find their own candidate.

Their call for volunteers went something like this...

McGill was unanimously elected the next day.

But that was only the beginning of the Senate's "Musical Chairs" game...

2. This Week's Installment of "As The Statehouse Churns"

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While American politicians are accused of many things, it's not every day that one is accused of a "well-orchestrated coup" to take control of state government.

Yet that's precisely what happened in the state Senate this week.

State Sen. Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, was elected as Senate President Pro Tempore on Wednesday, making him the de facto leader of the SC Senate. To make a (very) long story short, Leatherman came out victorious in a month-long power struggle that began after Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell announced his resignation.

But not everyone was happy. And some members of Leatherman's own party were the angriest. State Sen. Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, claimed Leatherman was already the chamber's most powerful senator as budget chairman -- and his election as president gave him a dangerous amount of power. Massey strongly hinted (but didn't say outright) that Leatherman bought votes for himself using earmarks in the budget.

Meanwhile, Democrats likely enjoyed watching Senate Republicans beat up on other Senate Republicans yet again.

3. Never mind

On the House side, members had much less eventful week.

Legislators overrode most of Gov. Nikki Haley's 76 budget vetoes on Tuesday before coming to the last, which would have blocked lawmakers' attempts to double the allowance they receive for job expenses. Legislators who support the increase say the $1,000 limit has not changed for nearly 20 years. Opponents say it's essentially a backdoor pay raise, since lawmakers don't have to document how the money is spent.

But it was how Tuesday's vote went down that made the news. Any veto requires a two-thirds vote to override the governor. It appeared at first that House leaders lacked the needed votes, as the veto was upheld 73-39. But then they tried again a few minutes later. And somehow (we won't insinuate anything) got a net 10 Republicans to simply not vote at all. It passed the second time 73-29, eclipsing the two-thirds vote needed.

Haley was livid, calling the second vote "unreal" in a Twitter post. Indeed, several political groups praising the first vote on Twitter had to quickly regather themselves...

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The Senate did scrap the pay raise, however, siding with the governor in a 32-10 vote.

4. No further questions, Your Honor

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Forgive Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin for probably wishing his old business partner and former SC State University trustee Jonathan Pinson had just shut up and pleaded guilty.

Pinson is on trial this week for dozens of corruption charges dealing with economic projects in Orangeburg, Columbia, and Marion. Pinson co-owned a housing development firm with Benjamin until the latter ran for mayor in 2010 (although it now appears the two were still doing business together afterwards).

A trial witness trial said Wednesday that the mayor had accompanied Pinson on a 2010 trip to Orlando, when prosecutors say Pinson was negotiating with a Florida developer on a kickback scheme.

That's where things got REALLY interesting. The State newspaper reports the witness said the group met at a strippers club that night. Later, when they left, “two young ladies from the strip club” went with them, according to the witness. The women entered the hotel with the men. Prosecutors did not have the witness (a former SC State administrator) elaborate beyond that.

When they heard this, every reporter in the courtroom had to resist the urge to run outside and immediately file a report.

Benjamin has not been charged with any crime in the case, although Pinson and several other former business partners have. The mayor also told reporters he won't comment until the trial is finished.

5. Put in a good WORD for me

Voters head to the polls Tuesday in several primary runoff elections. The race getting the most attention is Republican runoff for Education Superintendent. SC Association of School Administrators director Molly Spearman surprised many observers by finishing with the most votes in the June 10 primary, despite the fact that she's a former Democrat who often goes against the GOP base.

As a result, conservative activists are rallying behind the close second-place finisher: Sally Atwater. Atwater is a special education teacher and widow of the legendary political consultant Lee Atwater. It is Mrs. Atwater's first run for public office, however, which clearly showed during an interview with WORD Radio's Russ Cassell. (Disclosure: WORD is a SC Radio Network affiliate)

It was... interesting...

Atwater could not have been more obvious that she was dodging Cassell's questions on sex ed and teaching evolution vs. intelligent design in public schools.

A frustrated Cassell -- hardly anti-conservative by any stretch of the imagination -- proclaimed after the interview: "What you have just heard is an example of a person running for public office on name recognition only, who is clueless."

Atwater clarified her positions with the Charleston City Paper later in the week.

Bonus!!

Richland County has a new music video this week, telling residents about the county's changing recycling policies.

Words like "memorable" and "video about recycling ordinances" don't usually go together. But never underestimate Richland County.

What's that? You want a music video featuring creepy-faced trash carts and a refuse officer singing about recycling to the tune of "Mexican Hat Dance?"

While it's easy to mock the county, they did succeed in getting their point across (We're talking about it here aren't we?).