Prosecutor now only contender for York County judge after second lawyer drops out
One of two candidates for a York County judge seat has dropped out of the race, leaving prosecutor Misti Shelton as the only candidate and likely winner in next week’s election in the S.C. General Assembly.
Melissa Inzerillo, a public defender, confirmed to The Herald Wednesday she is no longer a candidate in the election set for March 4. She was the only candidate for the same seat last year but still lost the election when many Republican lawmakers voted against her.
Voters don’t choose judges in South Carolina like they do in most states. The state legislature chooses after a review by a legislative screening commission, made up of legislators and other lawyers from around the state. Virginia is the only other state in which state legislators pick judges.
Candidates in South Carolina could seek commitments or endorsements from legislators for the past two weeks. It apparently became clear to Inzerillo that she did not have the votes to win in South Carolina’s legislature, which is more than two-thirds Republican.
It is fairly common for South Carolina judicial candidates who expect to lose a contested race to withdraw before a formal vote is taken.
A woman has never served as Circuit Court judge in York County.
Shelton has been a prosecutor in the 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office for more than 20 years. She has handled dozens of high-profile prosecutions, including murders and sexual assaults.
Inzerillo lost in 2025 when Republicans said no
The S.C. Judicial Merit Selection Commission found Inzerillo, a lawyer for more than two decades at the 16th Circuit Public Defender’s Office, to be qualified both last year and again this year. Commission members both times publicly praised her experience and dedication to the law and courts.
But many Republicans opposed her.
State Sen. Wes Climer of Rock Hill, who is running for U.S. Congress this year, said he wanted a more conservative judge. Climer lobbied other Republicans to vote against her. Other Republicans, including state Rep. Tommy Pope of York, who is the former top prosecutor for York County, said in voting against Inzerillo last time they wanted more candidates than just one person.
The vote last year at the S.C. statehouse in Columbia was lopsided against Inzerillo. The combined vote by the state Senate and House of Representatives was 93 against Inzerillo, and 54 for her.
Why circuit court judges are important
For South Carolina felony criminal cases, circuit judges handle trials, guilty pleas and sentencing.
They also set bail in criminal cases before trials. That decision is about potential danger to the public if a person is given bail.
Only a circuit judge can set bail for the most serious violent crimes, including murder.
Under South Carolina law, victims of crime and their families have a right to attend all court hearings in their cases and can address the judge about bail and sentencing.
Some judges will even ask family members in court if they want the judge to accept a plea deal if one is offered.
Decisions about whether someone is freed on bail after arrest often come under intense public scrutiny during cases involving ongoing community problems with repeat offenders, guns, violence and teenage crime.
Judges also are in the public eye when handing down prison sentences and making decisions in “stand your ground” hearings and other high-profile matters.
Circuit judges also handle civil lawsuits over $10,000.
What happens next?
The legislature will vote on judicial elections March 4 starting at noon. Shelton, if elected, would have to go through months of training around the state before likely starting on the bench in early 2027.
The 16th Judicial Circuit seat covering York and neighboring, small Union County has two resident judges. The seat came open when Judge Dan Hall retired in 2025. The other seat is held by Bill McKinnon. That seat is not up for election in 2026.
Circuit judges serve six-year terms and make $221,925 per year. They have statewide jurisdiction and often travel to other counties.
