Political activity knocks Rock Hill attorney out of York County judge race

A candidate for York County judge is no longer a finalist for a seat to be open early next year after engaging in forbidden political activity while a candidate.

The S.C. Judicial Merit Selection Commission, which screens judicial candidates before legislators with the General Assembly choose judges, changed its finalists this week in the York County resident judge election.

James “Jimbo” Morton, a Rock Hill lawyer who was a finalist in a November vote, was not a finalist in a new vote this week, said Erin Crawford, chief counsel for the judicial commission. The 16th Judicial Circuit slot covers York and Union counties.

Lisa Collins of Rock Hill, a prosecutor with the 6th Circuit Solicitor's Office in Lancaster, is now a finalist. Other finalists are York County public defender Bryson “B.J” Barrowclough and York County prosecutor William “Bill” McKinnon, according to Crawford and the commission.

The candidates filed for the job in the summer.

Candidates are required to refrain from political endorsements, under the South Carolina code of judicial conduct for candidates and judges, said Crawford.

The commission was told Morton had violated those rules and had him appear at a hearing Tuesday, Crawford said. Morton admitted the political activity, but told commission members he didn’t know that it was against the rules, Crawford said.

Morton, 63, a lawyer and former prosecutor in York County for more than three decades, is a former chairman of the York County Democratic Party.

Morton told The Herald that while he was a candidate for judge, but before he was named finalist, he engaged in political activity and endorsements, and that he told the commission he did so.

Morton said he was asked to co-host an event for Democratic congressional candidate Archie Parnell, and he agreed. Morton also said that he campaigned for his law partner, John Gettys, running for mayor of Rock Hill in a non-partisan race.

Morton said he did sign paperwork when he became a candidate, saying he would follow the judicial rules, and that he made an unintentional mistake.

“I understand the rules and reasoning,” Morton said. “You indicate by filing that you will follow the rules, but it never occurred to me that I could not help.”

Morton was a finalist for York County’s other resident circuit court judge slot in a 2014 race in which Dan Hall was selected by legislators.

“I believe most people would say I was the most qualified candidate for the job,” Morton said.

Crawford said that Collins was told she is now a finalist. Collins is one of two female candidates who sought the seat.

Legislators will choose one person to replace Judge John C. Hayes III, whose term ends at the end of this month. Hayes has mandatory retirement because he is reaching age 72.

The commission nominates up to three finalists for the General Assembly to consider, Crawford said.

Circuit judges in South Carolina are selected by the 170 members of the state Legislature, not by public vote. Most states have popular vote judicial elections.

The vote by legislators to choose the next judge is scheduled for Feb. 7. The three finalists cannot seek endorsements from legislators until noon Jan. 16.

The term of office is six years. The 16th Judicial Circuit has two resident judge seats. Circuit judges have statewide jurisdiction, and often travel to other counties.

This story was originally published December 8, 2017 at 9:59 AM with the headline "Political activity knocks Rock Hill attorney out of York County judge race."