You’ll need political pull

West Columbians Janice Holmes and Kyliene Keesley are up for at-large circuit court judgeships.

Neither may have political ties to assure they pass the screening this week.

But many other judicial candidates do.

SC Supreme Court justice George James is one.

A lawmaker-controlled panel was to determine whether he and other judges will be nominated.

James was a partner at a Sumter law firm where state Rep. Murrell Smith, the chairman of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission also was a partner.

Court of Appeals Judge Stephanie Pendarvis McDonald is seeking another 6-year term. She was a longtime attorney at a Charleston law firm where Sen. Sandy Senn, R-Charleston, is a senior partner.

Judge Bill Funderburk, who is seeking another 5-year term, is the husband of Rep. Laurie Funderburk.

By law, the 10-member JMSC can nominate no more than 3 candidates for an open seat. Most of the seats will be filled in an election set for Feb. 5.

SC and Virginia are the only states where their lawmakers play primary roles in electing judges.

The SC Legislature has a long history of electing former colleagues or relatives.

Under state law, 6 of the JMSC’s 10 members must be lawmakers. 5 are appointed by House Speaker Jay Lucas, 3 by Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Luke Rankin and 2 by Senate president Harvey Peeler.

No lawmakers on the screening panel represent Lexington County voters.

The panel will consider complaints about the candidates. They are considered confidential unless addressed in the hearings.

State law requires that “all records, information, and other material” used by the JMSC to “make its findings of fact” must be “kept strictly confidential.”

Brundrett is the news editor of The Nerve. Contact him at 803-254-4411 or rick@thenerve.org .