Veterans McConnell, Courson Assume New Roles

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Veteran South Carolina lawmakers Glenn McConnell and John Courson take on new roles in state leadership, amid a controversial exit by former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard. Shortly after McConnell stepped into the statewide position following a tumultuous Friday in which former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard resigned and pleaded guilty to campaign fraud, South Carolina senators chose John Courson of Columbia as the Senate’s new leader. The Senate elected the 67-year-old Education Committee chairman Tuesday as its new president pro tem. The 27-17 vote came after former Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell was sworn in as South Carolina’s new lieutenant governor. The Charleston Republican reluctantly gave up his powerful position as Senate president pro tem and Judiciary Committee chairman to assume a role largely viewed as ceremonial.