State courts shape the communities we live in & have an outsized impact on the scope and existence of fundamental human and civil rights.  State Supreme Courts are often the final decision makers on these rights - like the right to have your vote count, rights as workers, affordable housing, access to healthcare, right to clean air and water.

Now more than ever, our rights are being decided in state courts, including the SC State Supreme Court. Yet, the state’s highest court fails to reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

A judicial system that does not have equitable and diverse representation falls short of fulfilling its role in our democracy. 

In 2023, South Carolina became the only state in the nation without a woman serving on its highest court.

This year, Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty, who is the only sitting justice of color on the bench must retire. State law requires judges retire when they turn 72.

While Justice Beatty’s retirement created the vacancy on the court, Justice Kittredge will replace Beatty as Chief Justice and this election is to fill the seat of Justice Kittredge.

After reviewing and interviewing six initial candidates that applied for the position, the Judicial Merit Selection Committee put forth their top three candidates (Blake Hewitt, Jocelyn Newman, Letitia Verdin) to be qualified and up for the final vote by the General Assembly.

While we were enthused to learn two of the three final candidates were women and the prospect of a Black woman serving on the court for the first time in the state’s history, on May 28th, Judge Jocelyn Newman withdrew her candidacy leaving just two candidates up for a vote - Judge Blake Hewitt and Judge Letitia Verdin.

This vote comes at a critical moment in time for South Carolina and all who value democratic participation. Recent legislative and judicial decisions coupled with increase in engagement from constituents highlight South Carolina is at a critical inflection point that will determine how and in what direction the state moves - especially for communities that have been historically underrepresented and ignored. 

To ensure our courts are protecting the rights of all individuals, our judges must reflect the lived experiences of the populations they serve and the diversity of our state. 

54% of South Carolina’s residents identify as women. Women are vital contributors to our state, our democracy, and must be included in key institutions and in positions of leadership.

With Newman’s withdrawal, SC is set to become the the 19th state in the country comprised of an all-white Supreme Court. This will be the first time in 17 years that a person of color will not be serving on the state’s highest court.

With no opportunity to increase racial diversity at this time, this vote is critical in ensuring gender diversity on the state’s highest court.

Continuity of an all-male court also presents deeper concerns relative to the potential for women, people from underrepresented backgrounds, and various intersecting identities to reach positions of power within the state judiciary.

Finally, who our lawmakers elect will shape the state’s highest court for some time, as the next seat is not likely to come available again until 2028.

To read & learn more: SC Judicial Merit Selection Commission Report of Candidate Qualifications 2024 Presented to General Assembly, Judge Letitia Verdin Bio, Judge Blake Hewitt Bio, Brennan Center for Justice State Supreme Court Diversity Report - May 2024, Alliance for Justice State Courts Hub