The state Senate twice elected a president pro tempore Wednesday, allowing Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell to resign and focus on his new responsibilities as president of the College of Charleston.
The power shift wasn't without controversy: One senator alleged a coup had taken place because of opposition to the University of Charleston bill.
Senators elected Yancey McGill, D-Kingstree, to the leadership position without opposition. He was sworn in as lieutenant governor after McConnell resigned. A Democrat has not held the seat since 1995, also under a Republican governor.
Minutes later, Sen. Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, was subsequently elected president pro tempore, making him the most powerful member of the General Assembly. Leatherman also chairs the Senate Finance Committee.
McGill, a 26-year Senate veteran, praised McConnell's work as a senator and as lieutenant governor.
"Senator McConnell's academia and his strength could have been about Charleston," McGill said. "But it was not about Charleston. It was about helping every member in this chamber. ... And I just want to tell you that I appreciated the amount of love and compassion."