Govan persists in black judges bill

State Rep. Jerry Govan, D-Orangeburg, plans to push a bill designed to get more black judges on the bench even though he no longer is a member of the committee that would hear it.

Govan was removed from the Judiciary Committee earlier this month after a legislator was hit while trying to intervene in a fight between Govan and state Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Richland.

The fight happened after Govan’s bill about black judges failed to make it out of a Judiciary subcommittee. Govan hasn’t commented on the fight; he says he will tell his side later.

Govan said Tuesday he wants to focus on getting his bill passed. A House panel could discuss it Thursday, although Govan’s bill is not on its agenda.

“I will be there, and I hope all individuals interested in this issue will be there as well,” said Govan, who chairs the Legislative Black Caucus. “Unless the public supports it, it will be tabled or die in committee.”

Some House members say Govan’s fight with Harrison was a result of frustration felt by many Democrats and blacks in the Republican-controlled Legislature. They say their bills aren’t given the same weight as those filed by Republicans.

Govan’s bill deals with an issue important to many in the Black Caucus — getting more judges from diverse backgrounds on the bench.

But subcommittee members said they already have approved a similar bill, sponsored by Rep. Leon Howard, D-Richland. Some doubted Govan’s bill would be heard.

Howard’s bill would remove a limit on the number of judicial candidates who could be considered for an opening. Govan’s bill adds, among other things, that the committee selecting candidates should include members suggested by the governor and the Black Caucus.

Harrison, a member of the panel and chairman of the full Judiciary Committee, said Govan could accomplish the same thing by offering an amendment to Howard’s bill.

“It’s my belief that the chairman sees no support for (Govan’s) bill,” Harrison said. “There’s no sense putting the bill on the agenda unless it appears to have some support.”

Rep. Seth Whipper of Charleston, one of two Democrats on the panel, said he is still considering Govan’s bill to “make sure it does some good for the process.

“We really need to be very careful about how we elect our judges.”

Reach Talhelm at (803) 771-8339 or jtalhelm@thestate.com