Brian J. Gaines
Brian Gaines | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 39thComptroller General of South Carolina | |
| Assumed office May 12, 2023 | |
| Governor | Henry McMaster |
| Preceded by | Richard Eckstrom |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Brian Jerome Gaines 1981 or 1982 (age 42–43) Barnwell, South Carolina,U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of South Carolina(BA,MPA) |
Brian Jerome Gaines(born 1981/1982)[1]is an American civil servant and politician who currently serves as theComptroller General of South Carolina.He was appointed by Republican GovernorHenry McMasteron May 12, 2023, byrecess appointment,following the resignation ofRichard Eckstrom.[2][3]He is South Carolina's first black constitutional officer since theReconstruction era.[4]Election records show that Gaines is a member of theDemocratic Party,making him the first Democrat to hold statewide office in South Carolina sinceYancey McGillleft the lieutenant governor's office in 2015.[5]Gaines's appointment prevented a constitutional crisis; since the office was vacant, no person could authorize the distribution of funds.[6][7]
Career and education
[edit]FromBarnwell,Gaines graduated from theUniversity of South Carolinawith a bachelors of arts in political science in 2004 and with a masters in public administration in 2006.[8][9]Upon his graduation, Gaines worked for the state ofSouth Carolinaas a human-resources consultant and later as a budget-research coordinator. Gaines also served as the state's director of policy and public affairs, deputy state budget director, and budget director for the state's Department of Administration.[10][11][12]He became aCertified Public Managerin 2014.[13]
Comptroller general
[edit]Richard Eckstrom,who held the office of comptroller general for 20 years, resigned on April 30, 2023, after a $3.5 billion accounting error.[14]GovernorHenry McMasterappointed Gaines to the vacant seat on May 12, 2023.[1]Because the state legislature's session ended on May 11, Gaines's May 12 appointment was arecess appointment,not subject to approval from the legislature, but he can be replaced by the legislature. Gaines is expected to hold the position until theGeneral Assemblyelects a successor or the new term begins in 2027.[a][15][16]He has stated that he does not wish to run for the office in 2026.[4]
His appointment received bipartisan support in the solidly Republican state, with state SenatorLarry Grooms,aBerkeley CountyRepublican, stating he met his call for “a highly qualified seasoned professional with great knowledge of government accounting.” Governor McMaster stated, “He's qualified. He's respected by everyone. He has enormous experience. He's not a political person, and everyone we discussed this with has great respect and confidence in Mr. Gaines.”[4]Former chair of theSouth Carolina Democratic Party,Trav Robertson,released a statement on Twitter thanking McMaster and Grooms for the appointment of Gaines.[17]
Notes
[edit]- ^Gaines is not the "acting" comptroller general. Rather, he was appointed to serve in the position until the General Assembly elects a successor (as is constitutionally required).
References
[edit]- ^abMajia, Jessica."Governor McMaster appoints Brian Gaines as Comptroller General".abccolumbia.ABC.Retrieved12 May2023.
- ^McMaster, Henry."Executive Order No. 2023-12"(PDF).governor.sc.gov.Governor of South Carolina.Retrieved12 May2023.
- ^Pollard, James."New top accountant Brian Gaines named in South Carolina after $3.5B error".wspa.Retrieved13 May2023.
- ^abcAdcox, Seanna."McMaster calls SC Legislature back to work, makes history with pick for chief accountant".The Post and Courier.Retrieved12 May2023.
- ^Folks, Will."South Carolina Democrats Finally 'Win' A Statewide Office".FITSNews.Retrieved21 May2023.
- ^Folks, Will."South Carolina's Comptroller 'Spitball Fight' Creating Constitutional Crisis".fitsnews.FITS News.Retrieved30 May2023.
- ^Henry, Zoie."Who decides on the next person to fill the role of Comptroller General?".wltx.WLTX.Retrieved30 May2023.
- ^"Brian J. Gaines"(PDF).governor.sc.gov.Governor of South Carolina.Retrieved12 May2023.
- ^Vickery, Jonathan (16 May 2023)."Barnwell native Brian Gaines appointed new S.C. Comptroller General".The People Sentinel.Retrieved6 July2023.
- ^"Brian J. Gaines"(PDF).governor.sc.gov.Governor of South Carolina.Retrieved12 May2023.
- ^"Gov. Henry McMaster Appoints Brian Gaines as Comptroller General".holycitysinner.Retrieved12 May2023.
- ^Vickery, Jonathan."Sold-out gala celebrates Barnwell's first African-American mayor".The Augusta Chronicle.Retrieved6 July2023.
- ^"Meet the Comptroller General".State of South Carolina.Retrieved6 July2023.
- ^Flowers, Marcus."S.C. Comptroller General resigning after accounting error".WISTV.Retrieved23 March2023.
- ^"New Top Accountant Brian Gaines Named in South Carolina After $3.5B Error".usnews.Retrieved12 May2023.
- ^"Governor McMaster appoints new South Carolina comptroller general".youtube.News 19 WLTX.Retrieved12 May2023.
- ^Robertson, Trav (12 May 2023).""Thank you Senator Larry Grooms and Governor McMaster for appointing Brian Gaines Comptroller General! He will do a magnificent job."".X (formerly Twitter).Retrieved15 January2023.
External links
[edit]Statewide political officials ofSouth Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|
| U.S. senators |  | |
| State government | ||
| Senate |
| |
| House |
| |
| Supreme Court |
| |