Politics & Government

Berkeley Republican Gets "D" From Haley

Governor releases report cards for House and Senate.

It was a mixed bag for Berkeley County legislators Monday when Gov. Nikki Haley released her "report card" on House and Senate members, giving high marks to allies and flunking opponents.

The grading scale for House members rated how they fell on nine "key" votes regarding the governor's agenda: recorded votes in the legislature, tort reform and measures meant to increase the governor's administrative control. They were also graded on whether they agreed with a few of Haley's vetoes.

Reps. Bill Crosby (R-North Charleston), Joe Daning (R-Goose Creek) and Jim Merrill (R-Daniel Island), all received "A"s, displeasing the governor only in their opposition to her budget vetoes.

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The grading gets a little more complicated for senators, who had fewer opportunities to win Haley's favor. Sen. Paul Campbell (R-Goose Creek) got a "B" for also voting against Haley's budget vetoes.

Sen. Larry Grooms (R-Bonneau) got a "D" because, in addition to opposing the vetoes, he also voted against her effort to record every vote in the legislature.

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Not surprisingly, Rep. Joe Jefferson, a Pineville Democrat, received an "F" from the governor for opposing much of her agenda.

You can read the full report card above. The governor will be in Charleston on Oct. 15 to discuss her report cards at a town hall event.


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