South Carolina chief justice retires with lack of support

The chief justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court has stepped down the day before he would have faced a vote to keep his job, declaring he does not have the support of lawmakers to stay on the bench.

Justice John Cannon Few made the announcement on X after hinting at his fate last week during oral arguments regarding the state’s controversial asbestos court. He commented at one point that he would soon be able to return to litigating cases after a committee approved three candidates to challenge for his seat.

“It has become clear to me over recent weeks that I do not – and will not – have the votes to be reelected to the Supreme Court of South Carolina,” Few posted.

“It is customary in judicial elections for the candidate who cannot win to withdraw from the race.”

In South Carolina, candidates ...