Before redistricting, change of power coming in SC Senate

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Before the South Carolina Senate takes up redistricting Monday, the chamber’s president will likely step down to take charge of its most powerful committee. Senators expect Harvey Peeler of Gaffney to take off the purple robe signifying the person in charge of the Senate and step into the chairmanship of the Senate Finance Committee. Peeler is the chamber’s longest serving Republican at 41 years. The Senate’s third-longest serving Republican, Sen. Thomas Alexander of Walhalla, is expected to be elected unchallenged as the new president. The change in power was put into motion after Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman died last month.