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COLUMBIA (WACH) - Republican Senator John Courson of Columbia has been elected as the new President Pro Tempore of the South Carolina Senate.
Sen. Courson defeated Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Gaffney) in a 27-17 vote Tuesday afternoon.
The vote comes after former Senator Glenn McConnell was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor.
The Senate's decision follows a tumultuous Friday in which former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard resigned and McConnell announced he would take over the role as the constitution requires. Ard pleaded guilty to campaign fraud hours after resigning.
The Senate's 27 Republicans control the 46-member chamber.
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