Henry McMaster Becomes 117th Governor of SC
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COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) (AP)– Henry McMaster was officially sworn in Tuesday night as the 117th governor of South Carolina, after Nikki Haley resigned to become Ambassador to the U.N.
Haley turned in her resignation letter minutes after the U.S. Senate confirmed her as President Donald Trump’s Cabinet pick. The U.S. Senate confirmed her Tuesday afternoon.
McMcaster was sworn in shortly after 6:40pm Tuesday evening in the Rotunda of the State House.
In a room full of Senators, long time friends and family McMaster officially took on his role as governor.
“I am humbled, honored and deeply appreciative of being granted one of the rarest opportunities to serve the people of my state,” McMaster said.
Former Governor Haley showed her support for McMaster at the swearing-in ceremony.
“There is lots of work to do, but we have the right person to do it,” Haley said
State Senators weighed in on this transition of power, saying they’re confident in McMaster’s capabilities.
“My hopes and prayers are with him as we move forward that he will continue his service in the Governors office and that he will keep the open door that he has to people of all parties and bring them together,” Senator Gerald Malloy said.
“I think if one looks at Henry McMaster and what he’s accomplished they’ll agree,” Senator John Courson said. “He was the united states attorney and he was attorney general, no one has brought those kind of credentials to the governors mansion.”
After a historic day Senators said it’s time to look ahead.
“There’s no problem that is too great if you have people that are working together,” Malloy said. “So if you have common sense for the common good we can get good solutions for our state and we know what the issues and problems are.”
As for what’s next, Senators will meet on Wednesday at the State House to elect a President Pro Tempro who will take over McMaster’s old role as Lt. Governor.
The incoming Governor’s resume is very different from his predecessor. Part of the South Carolina political landscape for decades, McMaster served as the State Republican party chair in the 90’s.
He was elected State Attorney general twice, then he ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2010 before ultimately becoming Lieutenant Governor in 2014.
Perhaps the decision that moved him into the Governor’s office was his endorsement of Donald Trump for President of the United States.
McMaster’s coronation does not come without controversy. Right now there is a petition on change.org demanding that McMaster forfeit his membership to the Forest Lake Country Club.
Critics say the club has a whites only policy and has yet to accept an African-American member, a claim the club denies.
