After 10 years in Columbia, John Graham Altman is leaving the Statehouse in favor of the schoolhouse.

The outspoken and often controversial West Ashley lawmaker said Monday he will step down from the House District 119 seat at the end of his term. Altman said he's had enough of commuting to the capital, staying in hotels and fighting bitter partisan battles with his sworn enemies: the Democrats and the bureaucrats.

Inspired by the political return of Arthur Ravenel Jr., Altman will run for the Charleston County School Board, where he previously served for 20 years - four of those as chairman and all of them as contentious as his time in the Legislature.

"If there's ever going to be a time to improve our public schools, now is that time," Altman said. "I think the real focus needs to be on our sorry school system."

A vocal critic of Charleston County schools, both while in the Legislature and during his tenure on the school board, Altman said his main concerns are children and their education, and he thinks his work in Columbia is done.

He made the decision to leave the Legislature after talks with his wife, Charm, and House Speaker Bobby Harrell.

"I'm going to miss him," said Harrell, R-Charleston. "He's been a huge ally and a friend. But I respect his decision."

Altman would have faced a challenge from former Charleston City Councilman Greg Hart in the Republican primary and, if he won there, a showdown with Charleston County Council Chairman Leon Stavrinakis in November.

Some party types on both sides of the aisle had predicted Altman could be vulnerable in this year's election, after a particularly high-profile year in which he made remarks interpreted as derogatory against battered women and Hispanic immigrants.

Controversial times

Altman never has shied away from a controversial quip or opinion - and he's had dozens of them, often pointed remarks with a viewpoint. He proposed cutting public television funding after a show on homosexual issues aired, and he garnered national attention for saying he didn't understand why battered women returned to their abusers. When the courts refused to allow a state license tag that read "Choose Life," calling it a political statement, Altman introduced legislation for a "Choose Death" car tag.

Altman's friends said they don't think his retirement from the House reflects any sense of political doom.

"I have never seen John Graham step back from a fight, and I don't believe he would step back now," Harrell said.

Altman said as much himself Monday. He said his polls looked pretty good and that, "I've always had opposition."

Stavrinakis, who called Altman's retirement from the Legislature "good for South Carolina and Charleston," said, "I would be surprised if his polls looked good against anybody."

Stavrinakis and Hart both said on Monday that the District 119 race was about issues, not people, and that they would continue with their plans. Republican Party officials said Monday there's a strong chance more candidates will join the race now that Altman is stepping down.

The 'A Team's' response

Altman said it was his daughter, a Charleston County teacher, who suggested he return to the school board, where he made his largest mark on the county - a good or bad mark, depending on whom you ask.

His constituents consider him a plainspoken man of the people, unafraid to point out the ridiculousness of government.

His critics say he is a divisive rabble-rouser and that his remarks, which have gotten him face time on national TV news shows, have been an embarrassment to South Carolina.

Altman's entry into the already crowded November school board races could get controversial. The only West Ashley school board seat on the ballot this year is held by Sandi Engelman, a friend of Altman's.

"I don't think he's going to run," Engelman said Monday. "But if the electorate puts him in, I won't shed a tear. He's always been a friend."

Engelman is part of Ravenel's - and the Republican Party's - "A Team" running for the school board this year (the A is for "accountability"). While attending Monday's school board meeting, Ravenel said he was sad to see Altman leave the Statehouse but would be happy to serve with him.

"We've pretty much rounded out our A Team, but that's not to say I'd discourage him from running," Ravenel said. "Anyone can run, and he's an old friend."

Changing plans

For the next couple of months, Altman said he will be returning contributions given to his House campaign and soliciting donations to his school board campaign. He said he doesn't want to run against Engelman and wouldn't be surprised to see a change in districts or a switch to single-member districts come out of the Legislature this year.

Altman said he's only mildly sad to leave the Statehouse, where he has worked as a party whip, subcommittee chairman and active member of Charleston's delegation. He said he is more interested in turning his attention back to local schools, as well as to his family and his business.

"I think the public is ready for us to do something with the Charleston County School District," Altman said.

Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com.

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