Kimpson leaving South Carolina Senate to join Biden admin

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — State Sen. Marlon Kimpson, a South Carolina lawmaker and early backer of President Joe Biden More than a year before his term ends, he is leaving the legislative position to accept a job in the Biden administration.

Kimpson is the latest South Carolina Democratic to leave the government as the state prepares the nation’s elections. First Democratic presidential nominating contest 2024

The Charleston Democrat, a Democrat, told The Associated Press Sunday that he would resign from the Senate to devote himself to his work on the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.

Kimpson was announced by the White House last week as one of the 14 new appointees for the entity that advises U.S. Trade Representatives on overall trade policy strategy.

“Charleston is the entry and exit point for a significant amount of goods and products from American and foreign countries,” Kimpson spoke to AP.

Kimpson noted that his district is home the Port of Charleston, and the aerospace manufacturer Boeing, Co. Kimpson also stated that he was among the other appointees. “will have a unique voice on this august list of CEOs, business leaders and union presidents.”

The Post & Courier in Charleston first reported Kimpson’s resignation from the state Senate.

Kimpson, 53 years old, is the representative of the 42nd District. He was elected in a special election held in 2013. Kimpson is a Black leader in South Carolina’s Senate. He has been a part of many debates including the effort to remove Confederate battle banner from Statehouse grounds in 2015 following the murder of nine Black parishioners at Mother Emanuel AM, a local church.

He also pushed for South Carolina law enforcement officers to use body cameras that year.