Democrats call on Lt. Gov. Ard to resign

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Democrats have renewed calls for Republican Lt. Gov. Ken Ard to resign and say GOP senators are cutting backroom deals on how he would be replaced.

Democratic Party Chairman Dick Harpootlian said Thursday that Ard needs to step down immediately after an ethics investigation was referred to the state grand jury.

Harpootlian says Ard can’t handle the investigation and his duties at the same time. Harpootlian says voters need a break from Ard’s problems.

Harpootlian also said Senate Republicans are cutting deals on who will replace Ard as lieutenant governor.

Republican Sen. Larry Martin of Pickens said senators don’t even want to talk about Ard’s problem and no one is making deals.