CHRIS CORLEY STEPS DOWN …
S.C. Rep. Chris Corley resigned just hours before he was about to be expelled by his colleagues in the S.C. House of Representatives.
The second-term lawmaker from Aiken County – who was indicted earlier this month on a felony criminal domestic violence charge – is accused of beating his wife in front of their two children and brandishing a weapon during a December 26 incident that allegedly took place at the couple’s home in Graniteville, S.C.
The assault occurred after Corley’s wife, Heather Corley, allegedly confronted him with evidence she had uncovered suggesting that he was having an extramarital affair.
News of Corley’s arrest broke exclusively on this website. Since then, damning evidence has emerged in connection with this incident.
This website called on Corley to step down previously – but he didn’t do so until it became clear his colleagues were going to throw him out.
S.C. Speaker Jay Lucas – who suspended Corley immediately upon his indictment – filed a resolution to expel him on Tuesday. Assuming five S.C. House members hadn’t objected to the resolution, a floor vote would have been taken on the question Tuesday afternoon. If two-thirds of those members present and voting had cast their ballots to expel Corley – he’d have been gone.
There is no due process in the House on these matters, nor is there any appeal.
Corley has represented S.C. House District 84 (map) since 2015. His seat is now vacant, which means a special election will be held to fill it. According to the S.C. Election Commission, filing for this seat will open on February 10 at noon and run through February 21 at noon. Primary elections will be held on April 11 with any runoff elections scheduled for April 25. The special election itself would be held on May 30.
(Banner via Travis Bell Photography)