Black SC Supreme Court Candidate Withdraws Amid School Board Ruling

 

Circuit Court Judge Jocelyn Newman Credit: ALEX HICKS JR./SPARTANBURG HERALD-JOURNAL

By Javar Juarez

Columbia, S.C. (CUBNSC)-

South Carolina's judiciary is poised to become all-white and all-male, a concerning development following the withdrawal of the sole black candidate, Circuit Court Judge Jocelyn Newman. This shift comes at a time when representation and diversity in the judiciary are more critical than ever.

On Tuesday, Judge Newman, aged 46, formally withdrew her candidacy, submitting her resignation to the Judicial Merit Selection Commission. This commission vets and nominates judicial candidates to the 170-member General Assembly, which then makes the final decision. South Carolina remains one of only two states where the legislature, rather than the public, elects most judges.

Left: Judge Blake Hewitt Right: Judge Letitia Verdin Credit: Jessica Holdman SC Daily Gazette

The departure of Judge Newman from the race leaves only two candidates: Judges Blake Hewitt of Conway and Letitia Verdin of Greenville. Both candidates are currently serving on the state's Court of Appeals and are vying for a position that will be decided when the legislature reconvenes on June 5th in Columbia.  

Judge Jocelyn Newman's withdrawal from the race is notably significant as she was the only candidate of color. 

Her candidacy was overshadowed by a contentious ruling involving the Richland One School District. In a lawsuit brought by district parent Clint Wallace, the district was accused of violating the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws during the halted construction of the Vince Ford Early Learning Center. Judge Newman found the district in violation of the law, stating, "Having fully considered the arguments and submissions of the parties, the Court finds in favor of Plaintiff. Defendant Richland County School District One violated the Freedom of Information Act as alleged in the Complaint.” This decision was reached after hearing arguments from Chris Kenney, an attorney for Wallace, and Eugene Matthews, representing Richland One, at a motions hearing on February 16, with a final order issued on May 16, 2024. 

Her ruling against the school district likely diminished her support among the Richland County Delegation, critically affecting her prospects for a Supreme Court appointment. 

During her Supreme Court nomination hearing, Newman emphasized personal career advancement rather than broader judicial reform or support for marginalized communities in South Carolina—a state where more than 26% of the population is African American. This focus on personal advancement over substantial judicial contributions has left many concerned about the future direction of the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Currently, the court is under scrutiny following its recent decisions, including the upholding of a six-week abortion ban. The retirement of Chief Justice Donald Beatty, the court's only Black justice, later this year, further exacerbates fears about decreasing diversity on the bench.

South Carolina Justices John Few (top, left), Donald Beatty (bottom, middle) and Kaye Hearn (bottom, right) voted to strike down the six-week abortion ban (South Carolina Judicial Branch/Twitter)

The implications of an all-white, all-male Supreme Court in South Carolina are profound, given the state's history of slavery, racism, and discrimination. The potential for continued conservative rulings that do not reflect the demographic realities of the state poses a significant threat to justice and equity. It is crucial that community leaders and the electorate demand greater accountability and diversity in judicial appointments to ensure that the judiciary reflects the diversity of the state it serves. The lack of engagement from democratic figures and local leaders in addressing these concerns calls for a more active approach from the community to advocate for systemic change and ensure fair representation in the highest levels of state judiciary.

Richland One School District Order; South Carolina Judicial Branch. "Public Index Case Details." South Carolina Judicial Branch, Fifth Circuit Court Order

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