SC senators bow heads for missing executive

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina senators are praying for the safe return of a long-time lobbyist who is missing.

Sen. Joel Lourie of Columbia called on senators Tuesday to hold a moment of silence for Tom Sponseller, president and chief executive of the state Hospitality Association. The moment of silence was held in the opening minutes of the day’s session.

Sponseller is well-known at the Statehouse for representing the tourism industry.

Columbia police are asking the public to help in a search. Police Chief Randy Scott says a relative reported Sponseller missing Saturday. He was last seen at work in downtown Columbia around noon that day.

The Greenville native is a graduate of The Citadel and is married with three adult children.