State Sen. Verne Smith dead at 81

[cal04]

Former state Sen. Verne Smith, whose 2001 party switch to the GOP gave Republicans control of the state Senate for the first time since reconstruction, is dead at 81.

Smith's son, Jeff, said his father died Sunday morning after a long illness that prevented his bone marrow from fighting infections. The condition, diagnosed after Smith had gall bladder surgery more than a year ago, kept Smith out of the state Senate for all of this year's session.


(snip)
After the 2000 elections, the Senate was evenly split with 23 Democrats and 23 Republicans. Smith, with the urging of President Bush, bolted from the Democratic Party and gave Republicans control of the Senate and the Legislature for the first time since Reconstruction. Republicans already had controlled the House since 1994.

http://www.dailycomet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061217/APN/612171233

[Tansy_Gold]

1. which state?

It would be mighty helpful if you could identify the state and save some of us the time of lookin' up the whole thing.

If that ain't askin' too much, of course.

[cal04]

2. sorry Tansy_Gold

South Carolina