DOGE SC-backed bill advances to change how the state vets judges

By: Jessica Holdman

Outlets: South Carolina Daily Gazette

Published: January 22, 2026

Words: 896

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

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COLUMBIA — South Carolina legislators are again considering changes to how the state vets its judges, this time giving the governor total control of the panel that screens them.

Under the proposal backed by House GOP leadership, the governor would appoint all 12 members of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission — eight lawyers and four members of law enforcement. None could be legislators.

A House panel voted 4-1 Thursday to advance the legislation to the …

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