Rep. Shirley Hinson has become the first woman in
the state House of Representatives to serve as her party's top enforcer
for getting out the vote.
The Goose Creek Republican was chosen Wednesday as "chief whip," the
person responsible for making sure her peers toe the line on important
issues. A good whip, many say, is politically plugged in and knows which
way lawmakers are leaning as pivotal votes approach.
Sometimes, the job requires convincing and cajoling. At other times, it
means ensuring her colleagues know when a vote is scheduled.
Majority Leader Jim Merrill, R-Daniel Island, picked Hinson, saying she
is exactly the right person to round up votes at crucial moments.
"The 'Velvet Hammer' is what we call her," Merrill said. "Her trust and
level of commitment make her unique. ... The job takes finesse and
personality, and Shirley is the right person to stay engaged and make sure
the votes are there when we need them."
Hinson has been in the House for nine years and has worked as an
assistant whip for the past four years.
As chief whip she will oversee 18 assistants who patrol the House floor
and talk with other lawmakers, then report back to Hinson with what they
hear.
For Hinson, accolades for being the first female to hold the job are
bittersweet.
"It is a big accomplishment, and I am proud and always do my best to
represent women's issues," Hinson said. "But it's really shameful that as
women we're still experiencing such firsts.
"We are in no way treated differently in the House," she said. "It's
just that it's hard for women, especially Southern women, to go into
politics. We have to be gainfully employed, do this job as legislators,
often run a household, and be parents. And most of the time we're running
against men."
There are 13 women in the House and one in the Senate.
With a commanding majority of 74 of the 124 House seats, it might seem
the Republican Caucus has little to worry about. But Rep. John Graham
Altman, R-West Ashley, says maintaining party cohesion isn't easy in the
free-spirited House.
"It is tough enough to get 74 people to agree to go to lunch, let alone
(agree) on a piece of legislation," said Altman, who is a House whip.
"You've got to be intelligent, hard-working, knowledgeable about politics
and good with people. Shirley is all those things."
Other lawmakers from the Charleston delegation serving as House whips
are Rep. Wallace Scarborough, R-James Island, and Rep. Ben Hagood, R-Mount
Pleasant.