Rifts between governors and senators is nothing new in South Carolina.

Even between Republican governors and senators.

Remember Gov. Mark Sanford’s baiting the GOPcontrolled Senate?

When the governor wasn’t hiking the Appalachian Trail, he was carrying two Lexington children’s pigs into the Statehouse where one pooped on the lawmakers’ carpet.

Now it’s Gov. Henry Mc-Master’s turn. No pigs this time. Just former Attorney General Charlie Condon.

McMaster has appointed Condon as Santee Cooper’s new board chair but senators haven’t approved him.

The governor says Santee Cooper’s board cannot work without a chairman as it is $4 billion in debt from its nuclear fiasco partnership with SC Electric & Gas.

McMaster ousted attorney Leighton Lord as chairman in December.

He said Lord hid critical information about the nuclear fiasco and would not cooperate with him.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey and Minority Leader Nikki Setzler, who represent Lexington County voters, joined Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman asking McMaster in a letter to reconsider the appointment.

“The fact that the Senate has not yet completed its work does not condone executive action contrary to the law,” they wrote.

Massey said what Condon does as chairman could be challenged in court.

McMaster’s spokesman Brian Symmes said, “Without a doubt, the governor has the authority to make the appointment.”

The Public Utilities Review Committee recommended Condon, he said.