Myrtle Beach senator Luke Rankin to switch to GOP

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Myrtle Beach state Sen. Luke Rankin plans to switch to the Republican Party, South Carolina GOP officials said Tuesday.

Rankin has served District 33 as a Democrat since 1993. In an open letter to the residents of Horry County, Rankin wrote that he has considered which party affiliation would allow him to best serve his constituents.

"Because of recent rules changes in the South Carolina Senate, which require key leadership positions and committee assignments based on party affiliation as well as seniority, I am now certain that the needs of Horry County can be better served if I am a member of the majority party," Rankin wrote.

Republicans in 2000 took control of the Legislature for the first time since Reconstruction. The leadership then changed the Senate's long-held seniority system.

In the past, seniority mattered as senators outlasted each other to gain power through committee chairmanships. Chairmanships now are handed out first by party, then by seniority.

Rankin said he will file his candidacy for re-election this week as a Republican. He said it will be up to Horry County residents to decide whether to vote for him again.

Rankin's switch gives Republicans a 27-19 margin in the Senate.

"South Carolina Republicans have been wooing Luke Rankin for years and we're sorry he finally took the bait," said state Democratic Party Executive Director Nu Wexler. "He has an awfully tough task ahead of him, defending the Bush economic record and explaining why South Carolina has lost so many jobs under this administration."

State GOP Chairman Katon Dawson welcomed Rankin to the party.

"Sen. Rankin's decision reflects a growing frustration many Democrats have with the direction of their party," Dawson said. "(Democratic presidential candidate) John Kerry's vision is higher taxes on the middle class and a permission-slip-policy on defense. I'm sorry, but that is no platform to run on and win in South Carolina."