COLUMBIA--The state House of Representatives elected Charleston Republican Bobby Harrell as its next speaker, giving the Lowcountry a trinity of power perhaps unmatched in state history.

With Mark Sanford of Sullivan's Island occupying the governor's office, Glenn McConnell of Charleston top dog in the Senate and Harrell leading the House, the Lowcountry quickly became the envy -- or ire -- of the Legislature. Shortly after Harrell locked up the position, Sen. John Courson, R-Columbia, took the Senate podium to suggest a new name for the Holy City: "The Independent Republic of Charleston."

A unanimous consent request by Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, to move the capital back to its colonial location in Charleston was rejected.

"We are all going to have to look to Charleston for decisions in government now," Courson said. "I just hope they don't lead us astray as they did in 1860 and 1861 with those secession votes."

The jocular comments were a welcome end to the cutthroat race to succeed Speaker David Wilkins, who submitted his letter of resignation Thursday. The Greenville Republican will be sworn in as the U.S. ambassador to Canada on June 21.

Early in the day, Harrell's top competitor, Judiciary Chairman Jim Harrison, dropped out of the race. That paved the way for a nearly unanimous vote in support of Harrell.

Harrison said he was within three votes but felt it necessary to bow out and allow members to unite behind the lead candidate. Since speculation began in March about Wilkins' possible departure, the race divided lawmakers and affected legislation.

"We owe Bobby our unified support," said Harrison, R-Columbia, as he withdrew. Harrell "has all the personal traits that a speaker needs."

An hour later, Rep. Bob Leach, R-Greer, gave a nominating speech, calling Harrell "a straight shooter with strong convictions" as the new speaker's family watched from a bench on the House floor.

A clerk then read the roll and all but one lawmaker voiced support for Harrell.

Rep. Dan Tripp, R-Maudlin, cast the lone dissenting vote, saying he couldn't support someone who won the race "based on fear and threats."

Tripp, a renegade dismissed by many in his own party, alleged in a statement submitted to the official House journal that he was threatened twice after irritating Harrell, and that Harrell said Tripp would never get anything in the budget.

Harrell, the House's lead budget writer, denied threatening Tripp. Numerous other lawmakers involved in the budget process also refuted the assertion. "He's a sore loser," said Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg.

After the vote, Harrell donned the purple speaker's robe -- with the help of his wife, Cathy -- for the first time and was sworn in by Wilkins. Harrell, who will officially take the helm June 21, told the lawmakers "now is a time to heal."

"We need to formulate a plan where we believe South Carolina needs to go from here and how we intend to get us there. And, then we need to make it happen," he said, looking a bit uneasy behind the speaker's dais.

Harrell also thanked Wilkins. "You leave me big shoes to fill. I hope I can grown into them."

The two House leaders shared the limelight, as Wilkins gave an emotional farewell speech.

Wilkins asked members to "look at where you're going, not where you've been. And rally behind Speaker Harrell."

He called his 25 years in the Legislature, including the 11 as speaker, "the privilege of a lifetime."

Lawmakers gave Wilkins a minute-long standing ovation and presented him with a congratulatory resolution and a Canadian flag. He leaves for his ambassador training in a week.

Wilkins leaves behind a government in which Charleston has significant political clout. The Lowcountry power brokers mostly dismissed the implications.

McConnell said it was "merely circumstantial."

Jack Bass, a state politics expert at the College of Charleston, said it was incredibly rare to see one region consolidate so much power.

"Certainly, for longer than a century this is the first time you've had three Charleston County residents in three of the most powerful offices in state government," he said. "But as many of us know, they don't necessarily agree on everything."

Harrell and Sanford have been at odds recently concerning the state budget, but both said they looked forward to working with one another.

Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, is worried that, if the Charleston politicians get along, the new power structure could create some regional divides.

"Charleston's problem is not to get too cocky, then the rest of the state will turn against us," Ford said. "We have some compassionate people in leadership positions. Glenn, Bobby both have a lot of common sense. Now we've got to get the governor acting like he's got good sense."

LOWCOUNTRY LEADERS

Rep. Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, speaker, House of Representatives. Sets the agenda and runs the House. Makes committee appointments.

Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, president pro tem. Sets the agenda and runs the Senate. Makes committee appointments.

Rep. Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island. House Majority leader. Speaker's chief assistant in speaking for the House and executing legislative vision.

Rep. Shirley Hinson, R-Goose Creek. House "chief whip." Rounds up the votes and ensures members show up to vote and vote as expected.

Gov. Mark Sanford, R-Sullivan's Island. Runs the executive branch of state government but has no lawmaking powers. South Carolina is a "weak governor" state, so the adage applies: "The governor proposes, the legislature disposes."

Rep. David Mack, D-North Charleston. Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus. Leads the caucus, which pushes minority issues in the General Assembly.