Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina

South Carolina Lieutenant Governor
General information
Office Type:	Partisan
Office website:	Official Link
Compensation:	$46,545
2024 FY Budget:	$3,613,132
Term limits:	Two consecutive terms
Structure
Length of term:	Four years
Authority:	South Carolina Constitution, Article IV, Section VIII
Selection Method:	Elected
Current Officeholder
Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina Pamela Evette Republican Party Assumed office: January 9, 2019
Elections
Next election:	November 3, 2026
Last election:	November 8, 2022
Other South Carolina Executive Offices
Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Comptroller • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission

The Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina is an elected constitutional officer, the second ranking officer of the executive branch and the first officer in line to succeed the Governor of South Carolina. The lieutenant governor is popularly elected every four years by a plurality and is limited to two consecutive terms.

Beginning in 2018, the lieutenant governor was elected on a joint ticket with the governor. The change resulted from a ballot measure passed in 2012. Read more about the background to this ballot measure and the succession debate that led to here.

Current officer

See also: Current Lieutenant Governors

The current officeholder is Pamela Evette (R). She took office on January 9, 2019.

Authority

The South Carolina Constitution establishes the office of lieutenant governor in Article IV, the Executive Department.

Under Article IV, Section VIII:

(A) A Lieutenant Governor shall be chosen at the same time, in the same manner, continue in office for the same period, and be possessed of the same qualifications as the Governor. (B) Beginning with the general election of 2018, a person seeking the office of Governor in any manner that a person's name may appear on the ballot as a candidate for that office, and before that person's name is certified to appear on the ballot for the general election, shall select a qualified elector to serve as Lieutenant Governor. (C) All candidates for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor must be elected jointly in a manner prescribed by law so that each voter casts a single vote to elect a candidate for the office of Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Qualifications

State Executives
Current Governors
Gubernatorial Elections
2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014
Current Lt. Governors
Lt. Governor Elections
2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014

Section 2 of Article IV of the South Carolina Constitution lays out the qualifications for governor and lieutenant governor.

A candidate for the lieutenant governor must be:

• at least 30 years old
• a citizen of the United States
• a resident of South Carolina for at least five years

Elections

South Carolina state government organizational chart

See also: Gubernatorial election cycles by state

See also: Election of lieutenant governors

South Carolina elects lieutenant governors in the midterm elections, that is, even years that are not presidential election years (e.g. 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030). Legally, the lieutenant gubernatorial inauguration is always set for the first Wednesday following the second Tuesday in the January following an election.

If there is a tie, a joint session of the legislature shall cast ballots to choose the lieutenant governor from the two highest vote-getters.

2022

See also: South Carolina gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina

Incumbent Pamela Evette defeated Tally Parham Casey and Jessica Ethridge in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Pamela Evette (R)	58.0	988,501
		Tally Parham Casey (D)	40.7	692,691
		Jessica Ethridge (L)	1.2	20,826
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	1,174

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,703,192
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Harold Geddings III (Labor Party)

2018

See also: South Carolina gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018

General election

General election for Governor of South Carolina

Incumbent Henry McMaster defeated James Smith Jr. in the general election for Governor of South Carolina on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Henry McMaster (R)	54.0	921,342
		James Smith Jr. (D)	45.9	784,182
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	2,045

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,707,569
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Martin Barry (American Party)

Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for Governor of South Carolina

Incumbent Henry McMaster defeated John Warren in the Republican primary runoff for Governor of South Carolina on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Henry McMaster	53.6	184,286
		John Warren	46.4	159,349

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 343,635
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of South Carolina

James Smith Jr. defeated Marguerite Willis and Phil Noble in the Democratic primary for Governor of South Carolina on June 12, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Smith Jr.	61.8	148,633
		Marguerite Willis	27.5	66,248
		Phil Noble	10.6	25,587

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 240,468
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of South Carolina

Incumbent Henry McMaster and John Warren advanced to a runoff. They defeated Catherine Templeton, Kevin Bryant, and John McGill in the Republican primary for Governor of South Carolina on June 12, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Henry McMaster	42.3	155,723
✔		John Warren	27.8	102,390
		Catherine Templeton	21.4	78,705
		Kevin Bryant	6.7	24,790
		John McGill	1.7	6,375

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 367,983
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Full history

2014

See also: South Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2014

Republican Henry McMaster won election on November 4, 2014.

Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Henry McMaster	58.8%	726,821
	Democratic	Bakari Sellers	41.1%	508,807
	Nonpartisan	Write-in votes	0.1%	1,514
Total Votes				1,237,142
Election results via South Carolina State Election Commission

To view the electoral history dating back to 2002 for the office of South Carolina Lieutenant Governor, click [show] to expand the section.

2010 On November 2, 2010, Ken Ard won election to the office of South Carolina Lieutenant Governor. He defeated Ashley Cooper in the general election. South Carolina Lieutenant Governor, 2010 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Ken Ard 55.2% 735,089      Democratic Ashley Cooper 44.8% 596,620      Write-In Various 0.1% 1,012 Total Votes 1,332,721 Election results via South Carolina State Election Commission. 2006 On November 7, 2006, Andre Bauer won re-election to the office of South Carolina Lieutenant Governor. He defeated Robert Barber in the general election. South Carolina Lieutenant Governor, 2006 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Andre Bauer Incumbent 50.1% 543,414      Democratic Robert Barber 49.8% 540,306      Write-In Various 0.1% 1,367 Total Votes 1,085,087 Election results via South Carolina State Election Commission. 2002 On November 5, 2002, Andre Bauer won election to the office of South Carolina Lieutenant Governor. He defeated Phil Leventis (D) and Kenneth E. Curtis (L) in the general election. South Carolina Lieutenant Governor, 2002 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Andre Bauer 52.7% 573,734      Democratic Phil Leventis 45.8% 498,431      Libertarian Kenneth E. Curtis 1.4% 15,705      Write-In Various 0% 196 Total Votes 1,088,066 Election results via South Carolina State Election Commission.

Term limits

The lieutenant governor of South Carolina is prohibited from serving more than two consecutive terms. Term limits for the lieutenant governor are laid out in Article IV, Section 8 of the South Carolina Constitution, which specifies that the lieutenant governor is subject to the same terms and qualifications as the governor.

South Carolina Constitution, Article IV, Section 8A:

A Lieutenant Governor must be chosen at the same time, in the same manner, continue in office for the same period, and be possessed of the same qualifications as the Governor.

Term limits for the governor are established in Article IV, Section 3 of the South Carolina Constitution, which prohibits a governor from serving more than two consecutive terms.

South Carolina Constitution, Article IV, Section 3:

The Governor shall be elected by the qualified voters of the State at the regular election every other even-numbered year after 1970. No person shall be elected Governor for more than two successive terms.

Change to joint ticket

See also: An analysis of South Carolina's lieutenant governorship, 2014

Beginning in 2018, the governor and lieutenant governor were elected on a joint ticket. The change resulted from a ballot measure passed in 2012.

The resignation of former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard (R) brought the issue to the forefront. Following Ard's resignation due to ethics violations, Glenn McConnell, as South Carolina Senate president pro tempore, ascended to the position. As president pro tempore, McConnell was the state's most powerful legislator. The position of lieutenant governor, however, was a relatively weak one. As such, McConnell initially considered stepping down as president in order to avoid becoming lieutenant governor, but eventually accepted the new role, saying he could not go against the South Carolina Constitution. Following McConnell's decision, state Sen. John McGill (D) was temporarily elected president pro tempore so that McConnell could become interim lieutenant governor.

Vacancies

Under Article IV, Sections VI and XI, the lieutenant governor replaces the governor any time the latter is unable to discharge the office:

Section VI:

If the Governor-elect dies or declines to serve, the Lieutenant Governor-elect shall become Governor for a full term. If the Governor-elect fails to take the oath of office at the commencement of his term, the Lieutenant Governor shall act as Governor until the oath is administered.

Section XI:

In the case of the removal of the Governor from office by impeachment, death, resignation, disqualification, disability, or removal from the State, the Lieutenant Governor shall be Governor. In case the Governor be impeached, the Lieutenant Governor shall act in his stead and have his powers until judgment in the case shall have been pronounced. In the case of the temporary disability of the Governor and in the event of the temporary absence of the Governor from the State, the Lieutenant Governor shall have full authority to act in an emergency.

If the lieutenant governor is also unable to serve the line of succession is employed and the full powers of the governor devolve upon whoever takes the office.

Duties

Under the state constitution, the lieutenant governor assumes the position of governor if for any reason the governor is unable to perform the duties of that office.

As of January 2021, the lieutenant governor also had the following statutory duties:

“

Appoints three members to the Long Term Care Council. Serves as or designates a member of the Judicial Council. Appoints five members of the State House Committee. Receives an annual report of an audit of the South Carolina Conservation Bank. Serves as or designates a member of the Hunley Commission. May serve as an ex-officio members of the Committee on Interstate Cooperation of Senate. Serves as or designates a member of the Hazardous Waste Management Select Oversight Committee. Serves as or designates a member of the Business-Education Parternship for Excellence in Education.

”

Divisions

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

State budget

See also: South Carolina state budget and finances

The budget for administration, which includes the lieutenant governor's office, in Fiscal Year 2024 was $3,613,132.

Compensation

See also: Comparison of lieutenant gubernatorial salaries and Compensation of state executive officers

See statutes: SC Code § 1-1-1210 (2013)

The lieutenant governor is entitled to receive annual compensation, paid bi-monthly, in accordance with Title 1, Chapter 1, Section 1210 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Pursuant to Article IV, Section 16 of the South Carolina Constitution, the lieutenant governor's salary shall not be increased or diminished effective during an elected term.

2022

In 2022, the officer's salary was $46,545, according to the Council of State Governments.

2021

In 2021, the lieutenant governor received a salary of $46,545, according to the Council of State Governments.

2020

In 2020, the lieutenant governor received a salary of $46,545 according to the Council of State Governments.

2019

In 2019, the lieutenant governor received a salary of $46,545 according to the Council of State Governments.

2018

In 2018, the lieutenant governor received a salary of $46,545 according to the Council of State Governments.

2017

In 2017, the lieutenant governor received a salary of $46,545 according to the Council of State Governments.

2016

In 2016, the lieutenant governor received a salary of $46,545 according to the Council of State Governments.

2015

In 2015, the lieutenant governor received a salary of $46,545 according to the Council of State Governments.

2014

In 2014, the lieutenant governor received a salary of $46,545 according to the Council of State Governments.

2013

In 2013, the lieutenant governor was paid an estimated $46,545. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.

2010

As of 2010, the lieutenant governor was paid $100,000 a year, the 19th highest lieutenant gubernatorial salary in America.

Historical officeholders

List of officeholders from 1730-Present
#	Name	Tenure	Party
1	Thomas Broughton	1730-1737
2	William Bull	1738-1755
3	William Bull II	1755-1756
4	Henry Laurens	1776-1777
5	James Parson	1777-1779
6	Thomas Bee	1779-1780
7	Christopher Gadsden	1780-1782
8	Richard Hutson	1782-1783
9	Richard Beresford	1783-1783
10	William Moultrie	1784-1785
11	Charles Drayton	1785-1787
12	Thomas Gadsen	1787-1789
13	Isaac Holmes	1791-1792
14	James Ladson	1792-1794
15	Lewis Morris	1794-1796
16	Robert Anderson	1796-1798
17	John Drayton	1798-1800
18	Richard Winn	1800-1802
19	Ezekiel Pickens	1802-1804
20	Thomas Sumter, Jr.	1804-1806
21	John Hopkins	1806-1808
22	Frederick Nance	1808-1810
23	Samuel Farrow	1810-1812
24	Eldred Simkins	1812-1814
25	Robert Creswell	1814-1816
26	John A. Cuthbert	1816-1818
27	William Youngblood	1818-1820
28	William C. Pinckney	1820-1822
29	Henry Bradley	1822-1824
30	William A. Bull	1824-1826
31	James H. Witherspoon	1826-1828
32	Thomas Williams	1828-1830
33	Patrick Noble	1830-1832
34	Charles Cotesworth Pinckney	1832-1834
35	Whitemarch B. Seabrook	1834-1836
36	William DuBose	1836-1838
37	B.K. Henagan	1838-1840
38	W. K. Clowney	1840-1842
39	Isaac Donnom Witherspoon	1842-1844
40	J. F. Ervin	1844-1846
41	William Cain	1846-1848
42	William H. Gist	1848-1850
43	Joshua John Ward	1850-1852
44	James H. Irby	1852-1854
45	Richard Detreville	1854-1856
46	Gabriel Cannon	1856-1858
47	M. E. Carn	1858-1860
48	W. W. Harllee	1860-1862
49	Plowden C. J. Weston	1862-1864
50	Robert G. McCaw	1864-1865
51	W. D. Porter	1865-1868
52	Lemuel Boozer	1868-1870
53	A. J. Ransier	1870-1872
54	R. Howell Gleaves	1872-1874
55	R. H. Gleaves	1874-1876
56	W. D. Simpson	1876-1879
57	John D. Kennedy	1880-1882
58	John C. Sheppard	1882-1886
59	William L. Mauldin	1886-1890
60	Eugene B. Gary	1890-1893
61	W. H. Timmerman	1893-1897
62	M. B. McSweeney	1897-1899
63	Robert B. Scarborough	1899-1901
64	James H. Tillman	1901-1903
65	J. T. Sloan	1903-1907
66	Thomas G. McLeod	1907-1911
67	Charles A. Smith	1911-1915
68	Andrew J. Bethea	1915-1919
69	J. T. Liles	1919-1921
70	Wilson G. Harvey	1921-1923
71	E. B. Jackson	1923-1927
72	Thomas Bothwell Butler	1927-1931
73	James O. Sheppard	1931-1935
74	J. E. Harley	1935-1941
75	Ransome J. Williams	1943-1945
76	George Bell Tummerman Jr.	1947-1955
77	Ernest F. Hollings	1955-1959
78	Burnett R. Maybank Jr.	1959-1963
79	Robert E. McNair	1963-1965
80	John C. West	1967-1971
81	Earle E. Morris Jr.	1971-1975
82	W. Brantley Harvey Jr.	1975-1979
83	Nancy Stevenson	1979-1983
84	Michael R. Daniel	1983-1987
85	Nick A. Theodore	1987-1995
86	Robert Lee Peeler	1995-2003	Republican
87	Andre Bauer	2003-2011	Republican
88	Ken Ard	2011-2012	Republican
89	Glenn McConnell	2012-2014	Republican
90	John McGill	2014-2015	Democratic
91	Henry McMaster	2015-2017	Republican
92	Kevin Bryant	2017-2019	Republican
93	Pamela Evette	2019-present	Republican

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms South Carolina Lieutenant Governor. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina - Google News

Contact information

The Honorable Pamela Evette
State House
1100 Gervais Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Phone: (803) 734-2100
Fax: (803) 734-5167

External links

Suggest a link

• Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina