Chairman of SC House Judiciary Committee retiring

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The longtime chairman of the South Carolina Judiciary Committee says he won’t seek another term.

Rep. Jim Harrison announced Thursday he is leaving the seat he’s held since 1989. The Columbia Republican says it’s time for someone else to serve and bring a new perspective. The 60-year-old attorney says he will miss the House but wants to concentrate on practicing law for a few years before retiring.

Harrison has been chairman of the House Judiciary Committee since 1994, the year Republicans took control of the chamber. He took the position from Democrat Jim Hodges, who later became governor.

The Greenwood native and father of two is a graduate of The Citadel and University of South Carolina law school.

The retired Army Reserve colonel served in several military operations overseas.