S.C.'s second in charge resigns; Charleston's McConnell rises to replace (update: sworn in)

Updates at the bottom:

South Carolina's Lt. Gov. Ken Ard has officially resigned from his position as the Palmetto State's second in command as a result of charges over using campaign finances for personal expenditures.

This has been an ongoing story and black eye to Columbia for almost a year.

The State has the details on the resignation including the letter submitted to Governor Nikki Haley and how Ard's empty seat will be filled; read more here.

And in many ways who replaces Ard will be more interesting to us in Charleston.

See, the powerful leader of the Senate is Charleston's Glenn McConnell who, by role, will rise to the Lt. Gov. title. However, that title is largely ceremonial and without power, and it will be almost certainly an influence loss for the Charleston area.

We'll keep you posted of any interesting developments.

Update March 13: Earlier this morning, S.C. Supreme Court Justice Jean Toal officially swore in Glenn McConnell as the state’s new lieutenant governor.

The Post and Courier has the details, get them here.

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