Joint assembly elects multiple judges, names Court of Appeals and circuit court winners

The joint assembly of the South Carolina General Assembly met to fill vacant judicial posts and carried out a series of nominations and elections.

Representative Mike Akaski, chairman of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, reported the Commission's screening results and placed nominations for multiple Court of Appeals, circuit and family court seats. The General Assembly elected Stephanie P. McDonald to the South Carolina Court of Appeals, seat 7, by acclamation after the Commission reported her as qualified.

The Commission nominated Will Wheeler for judge of the circuit court, third judicial circuit, seat 2. A member objected to election by acclamation and requested a roll-call vote. The reading clerk called the roll of the Senate, senators recorded their votes, and the House proceeded to record its votes as well. After both chambers voted, the presiding officer announced that Will Wheeler had been elected to the circuit court by a joint tally of 107 to 53.

Throughout the session the Commission placed numerous other nominees in nomination. Several circuit- and family-court nominees, including Debbie McCaslin, H. Stephen DeBerry IV, Misty Shelton, Milton G. Kimpson, E. Thompson Kinney, Elizabeth Biggerstaff York, Deborah A. Matthews, Spiro Stavros Fredericos, Marissa K. Jacobson, Rebecca West and others were confirmed, most by acclamation; a small number required roll calls as noted on the floor.

The joint assembly recessed after completing the slate of judicial elections. The actions taken were procedural confirmations under the Commission's screening authority and will be reflected in official commission journals and court appointment records.