In a rare contest for re-election, SC Supreme Court justice defends opinions on state abortion law

COLUMBIA — South Carolina Supreme Court Justice John Few defended his vote to strike down the state’s 2021 abortion law as he tries to keep his job on the state’s highest court.

Few and his three challengers appeared Monday before the Legislature’s judicial screening panel. The public hearing took an unexpected turn when it was House Speaker Jay Lucas’ turn to be questioned by his former colleagues. The 68-year-old former GOP speaker said he wouldn’t have to retire at age 72 — a surprise interpretation of state law that prompted a 15-minute exchange with Senate Judiciary Chairman Luke Rankin, the panel’s vice chairman.

Two other judges are vying to replace Few as he seeks re-election to another 10-year term: Administrative Law Court Chief Judge Ralph King “Tripp” Anderson, who has been on the bench for more than three decades, and S.C. Court of Appeals Judge Blake Hewitt, who was elected to the state’s second-highest court in 2019.

It’s the first time in more than 20 years that a sitting South Carolina Supreme Court justice has faced competition to hold onto a seat. The unusual and crowded challenge comes nearly three years after Few joined two other justices in tossing out South Carolina’s 2021 law to ban abortions once an ultrasound detects cardiac activity, considered a six-week ban.


https://scdailygazette.com/2025/11/17/in-a-rare-contest-for-re-election-sc-supreme-court-justice-defends-opinions-on-state-abortion-law/