Ex-SC lawmaker denies ‘sexist, petty’ accusations as he seeks Horry County judge seat
Former state Rep. Alan Clemmons denied accusations he is sexist and vindictive against political enemies in a Wednesday hearing where state lawmakers reviewed his qualifications for a judicial position in Horry County.
The comments stem from anonymous surveys of other attorneys used by the Judicial Merit Selection Commission when determining whether a candidate is qualified for a judge position.
Clemmons is seeking to become master-in-equity in Horry County, a position that typically handles real estate cases, such as foreclosures, partitions and contracts.
He denied characterizations described in the surveys that he would be petty should he win election.
“I don’t know what basis that is drawn on,” Clemmons, an attorney, told the commission. “That’s not the way I operate.”
In response to survey comments that he’s sexist and chauvinistic toward women, Clemmons called it false.
He declined to further comment to The State after his hearing.
The Judicial Merit Selection Commission also is considering two other candidates: Charles B. Jordan Jr. and Douglas M. Zayicek.
Both are lawyers who deal with foreclosures and real estate legal issues.
All three, who were determined to be qualified by the commission are seeking to fill the position left open by Horry County Master-in-Equity Cynthia Graham Howe, who is not seeking reelection.
Clemmons resigned from the state House in 2018 after he won a primary election for District 107, but decided not to run. State law requires former legislators to wait at least a year after leaving office before seeking a judicial appointment.
Clemmons also is a lawyer who handles foreclosure cases among other real estate type cases, and he currently serves on the state Board of Economic Advisors. In 2019, Clemmons sought the Horry County administrator position, but dropped out before a county council vote.
Amid the economic downturn in 2008 Clemmons was foreclosed on, forcing he and his family to dip into their savings to keep his law firm afloat and employees paid because the law firm’s revenue had dropped, he told lawmakers. That led to his family falling behind on mortgage payments, but he said the mortgage was paid back in full.
Clemmons’ candidate survey also characterized him as a dedicated public servant, who has knowledge and experience to be a master-in-equity. He was characterized as “extremely smart, and well versed in the law and truly cares about the people.”
One respondent said he did not have enough litigation experience.
Clemmons said he has worked on more than 2,900 cases with a majority being in the master-in-equity courtroom.
“I believe my experience in the courtroom and outside the courtroom bodes well for my service as master in equity,” Clemmons said.
Clemmons’ former House colleagues, who serve on the selection commission, also were complimentary Wednesday.
“You take (the surveys) with a grain of salt when you look at these things, you got to look at them and determine but basically your career has been doing real estate,” said House Ways and Means Chairman Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, who chairs the Judicial Merit Selection Commission.
House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, who served with Clemmons on two committees, said Clemmons would fit well in the position.
Rutherford said he used to joke with Clemmons that he didn’t practice real law, but on Wednesday said, “in reality, he practiced this type of law.”
This story was originally published December 1, 2021 at 1:22 PM with the headline "Ex-SC lawmaker denies ‘sexist, petty’ accusations as he seeks Horry County judge seat."
