Support for public schools elevated Courson in Senate

According to the account rendered in The State newspaper this week, Sen. John Courson became Senate President Pro Tempore thanks in part to his long-time support for public education in South Carolina.

Reporter Gina Smith writes:

Longtime Columbia state Sen. John Courson was elected to the top post in the state Senate Tuesday, but the political musical chairs may not be over.

The 67-year-old Republican defeated Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, by a 27-17 vote for the job of Senate president pro tempore, one of the most powerful in the Legislature.

Courson succeeds the Senate’s longtime leader Glenn McConnell. McConnell was sworn in Tuesday by S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal as South Carolina’s new lieutenant governor, replacing Ken Ard who resigned last week.

While Republicans control the Senate — holding 27 of 46 seats — Democrats supplied Courson’s margin of victory after Republicans senators split between Courson and Peeler.

Democratic senators, who voted 18-1 for Courson, had expressed concern that Peeler, the Senate’s Republican leader, can be too partisan. Courson, chairman of the Senate’s Education Committee, also appealed to Democrats for his history of supporting public education and the University of South Carolina.

See, a lawmaker can support public education and still be successful.

Congratulations to Senator Courson, and to the 700,000 public schoolchildren who look forward to his good service in his new office.