John E. Courson (born November 21, 1944) is a former
American politician. He served as a
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
member of the
South Carolina Senate, representing the 20th District from 1985 to 2018. He resigned after pleading guilty to a common law misconduct charge in office.
Early life and education
John Courson was born on November 21, 1944 and graduated from the
University of South Carolina in 1968.
Career
He has served as a Republican state senator for South Carolina from 1985 to 2018. In 1998, he ran for
Comptroller General of South Carolina
The comptroller general of South Carolina is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the U.S. state of South Carolina. Forty individuals have held the office of comptroller general since 1800. The office has been held by Brian J. Gai ...
, but lost to
Jim Lander
James Albert Lander (April 9, 1930 – October 29, 2020) was an American politician. He sat on the South Carolina Senate between 1993 and 1999, then became Comptroller General of South Carolina until 2003.
Early life and military career
Lander ...
.
He was elected President Pro Tempore of the
South Carolina Senate on March 13, 2012, but resigned this office on June 4, 2014 to avoid becoming
Lieutenant Governor, a weak position that needed to be filled for six months before a new Lieutenant Governor was elected
in 2014.
In March 2017, Courson was indicted on ethics charges for mishandling campaign funds and subsequently suspended from office.
[http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article139060943.html ] He resigned June 4, 2018 after pleading guilty to such charges.
Personal life
He is married to Elizabeth Poinsett Exum, and they have three children: James Poinsett, Elizabeth Boykin, and Harris Russell. He is
Episcopalian.
References
External links
*
Project Vote Smart - Senator John E. Courson (SC) profile
*''Follow the Money'' - John E. Courson
200620042002200019981996
campaign contributions
1944 births
Living people
University of South Carolina alumni
Republican Party South Carolina state senators
Politicians from Columbia, South Carolina
21st-century American politicians
South Carolina politicians convicted of crimes
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