Wilkins turns gavel over to Harrell

June 5, 2005

June 21 will bring some changes in the South Carolina House of Representatives as Speaker David Wilkins' resignation becomes official and the gavel is turned over to Rep. Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston. After initially facing three opponents, Mr. Harrell was unopposed by the time of the final vote on Thursday.

While we haven't always agreed with Mr. Wilkins' on every issue, he will be a credible representative of his home state and his nation as he takes on a most difficult and important task. We believe his ambassadorship to Canada will also put South Carolina in the spotlight and perhaps through that exposure, give our state more opportunities for economic development projects with that nation and seek its investment in the Upstate.

As for Mr. Harrell, we've not had much experience with him as yet, but most of his colleagues in the House and on Ways and Means, the committee he has chaired since 1999, speak highly of him.

It is his comment to the Associated Press upon his election that most interested us, and which we hope will prove to be prophetic: "This is about everyone in the House working together - both political parties, all races - to improve South Carolina. And I wanted the honor of being the person that got to lead that in the House."

The same report noted his leadership style during his tenure on Ways and Means and that he was "known for running tightly focused meetings and for a knack of getting deals worked out behind the scenes." They say that legislation is like sausage; one doesn't really want to see it made. But if "deals" translates to compromise for the greater good, then we'd not hesitate to view that process.

Mr. Harrell also seems to be a man who, like Mr. Wilkins, doesn't cling to party loyalty at the expense of the public. Most recently he has had some quite public disputes with Gov. Mark Sanford over budget issues. He also appears supportive of public education and in a column he wrote in December, sounded some encouraging notes about education in our state.

Mr. Wilkins will be hard to replace. He has served South Carolinians for a quarter-century and has had a direct impact both on the South Carolina we enjoy today and the one that will be affected in the future by legislation he helped craft. In his farewell appearance on "This Week in the House" on South Carolina EPT Wednesday night, he had a few emotional moments as he spoke of the hard but rewarding life he had experienced over the last 25 years of public service

We welcome the new speaker and hope he will continue to keep what's best for South Carolina in mind.

As for Mr. Wilkins, we wish the gentleman from Greenville a safe journey and much success. South Carolina will miss you.

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