John Courson Endorsed by Richland Co Sheriff Leon Lott

Less than a week after an ad by the South Carolina Democratic Party showed him asleep in the State House, Senate President Pro Tem and incumbent Republican John Courson was endorsed by Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, who is a Democrat.

The endorsement came in a mailer sent out to constituents (see attached photo).

The South Carolina Democratic Party issued the following response to the endorsement:

"The citizens of Richland County are saddened to see their chief law enforcement officer playing politics when he should be fighting crime. It’s even more astounding that just two months ago he accepted a $24,000 appointment from the Senator he now chooses to endorse. Voters in John Courson’s district see the pattern of Courson using taxpayers funds for his own benefit."

In July, Courson appointed Lott to the newly created Public Employee Benefit Authority. The position is for a two-year term at $12,000-a-year.

Courson will face Robert Rikard for the right to serve Senate District 20 in the Nov. 6 general election.

Keep up with all of Patch's coverage of South Carolina politics by following us on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE.