Ethics Committee Expands, Adds Democrats

During the Organizational Session on Tuesday at the State House, five Democrats were elected to newly created seats on the House Ethics Committee. They are:

• Leon Stavrinakis of Charleston
• Ronnie Sabb of Williamsburg
• David Weeks of Sumter
• Chandra Dillard of Greenville
• Elizabeth Munnerlyn of Marlboro

Previously the House Ethics Committee was comprised of six members, only one of whom was a Democrat.

One of the seats became open when Joan Brady was defeated in her House race last month.

The Ethics Committee was in the spotlight at the end of last year’s session when it deferred on an investigation of Gov. Haley. There was also speculation that the Ethics Committee might file a complaint against Speaker Bobby Harrell over his travel reimbursements.  

Last week, a group formed by Haley held its first public session on ethics and restoring public trust.

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"I commend my colleagues for changing the partisan makeup of the House Ethics Committee," said Representative Chandra Dillard, who chaired the House Democratic Ethics Study Committee. "This is just one of a series of changes that this body has to make up to regain the trust of the citizens of South Carolina."

"We have to prove to the people of South Carolina that this committee is fair but firm," said Representative Ronnie Sabb. "I consider this a great honor to be elected to such an important committee. Ethics is not a partisan issue, and I'm glad our Republican colleagues have finally come to that realization."

"Restoring the public's confidence in this body will be my number one priority," said Representative Leon Stavrinakis, a former prosecutor and member of the House Democratic Ethics Study Committee. "I am encouraged that this was the first order of business of the new session."

"This is a step in the right direction," said Representative Elizabeth Munnerlyn. "A balanced and bipartisan ethics committee should have happened a long time ago, but we're glad it's finally a reality. Now it's time to get to work."

"Bringing balance to the Ethics Committee is a victory for South Carolina," said Representative David Weeks. "This committee should have never been partisan in the first place. Taking partisanship out of the House Ethics Committee was a much needed step in the right direction."

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