A Richland lawmaker? Columbia’s city manager? Who will be SC Dem Cunningham’s running mate

Joe Cunningham, the Democratic nominee for governor, on Monday released a list of possible lieutenant governor running mates, which includes a current Midlands state lawmaker and Columbia’s city manager.

An announcement is expected around Aug. 1, when governor nominees have to tell their parties who their running mate will be.

Cunningham’s list includes current state lawmakers, a fighter pilot, and a mix of people who have government and private business experience. The list of nine includes seven women, three of whom are Black, and one Black man. A Black woman has never held a statewide office in South Carolina, according to the Center for American Women and Politics.

Black men served in statewide offices in South Carolina as early as Reconstruction after the Civil War.

The running mate candidates are:

▪ Tally Parham Casey, of Columbia, who is the CEO of Wyche Law Firm and a former fighter pilot in the South Carolina Air National Guard

▪ Rosalyn Glenn of Columbia, a financial planner and previous Democratic nominee for state treasurer

▪ State Democratic Reps. Jermaine Johnson, of Richland County; Kimberly Johnson, of Clarendon County; and Spencer Wetmore of Charleston County.

Johnson was elected to the House in 2020, after he won his primary against the late Rep. Jimmy Bales. He’ll return to the House after he won his primary this year against Rep. Wendy Brawley. Their districts were merged this year when the Legislature redrew maps. Kimberly Johnson is a freshman lawmaker who succeeds former Rep. Robert Ridgeway. Her father, Kevin Johnson, serves in the Senate. And in 2020, Wetmore flipped a House seat previously held by Republican Peter McCoy, who stepped down to serve as a U.S. attorney for South Carolina.

▪ Spartanburg City Councilwoman Meghan Smith

▪ Ed Sutton, of Charleston, who is an Air Force pilot and works in commercial real estate agent. He previously ran unsuccessfully for the S.C. House

▪ Kathryn Whitaker, of Mount Pleasant, who is a chief marketing officer for the law firm Burr and Forman.

▪ Columbia City Manager Teresa Wilson

“The person I choose for lieutenant governor will be ready to lead on Day One,” Cunningham said in a statement. “Our ticket will represent the future of South Carolina and the amazing potential of our state. I am committed to selecting a qualified, visionary leader to join our team and help usher in a new generation of leadership for South Carolina.”

Late Monday afternoon, Wilson said she would decline consideration to be Cunningham’s running mate.

“I remain committed to the citizens and businesses of Columbia, Columbia City Council and our employees,” Wilson said in a statement. “I hope this nod from Mr. Cunningham is a testament to the great work happening in Columbia and my dedication to excellence in governance of our capital city.”

One person not on the list was state Sen. Mia McLeod, D-Richland, who finished second against Cunningham. She told reporters on election night that she would not serve as a lieutenant governor.

Cunningham is hoping to unseat incumbent Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who is seeking a second full term alongside Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.

McMaster, who lives in Columbia, chose Evette in 2018 after the Legislature changed the state constitution. The 2018 governor’s race was the first year governor candidates could pick a running mate on the same ticket. Previously, the lieutenant governor was elected separately and presided over the state Senate.

Similar to vice president picks, governor candidates typically choose a running mate who can help them balance their ticket by ideological or geographic stand points.

Evette, a business owner, is from Travelers Rest in the Upstate.