The 170 members of the General Assembly have chosen Converse Chellis (R-Dorchester) to serve as the next treasurer of South Carolina. Chellis defeated Sen. Greg Ryberg (R-Aiken) by a vote of 122-34. He fills the vacancy left by Thomas Ravenel, who resigned last Tuesday after a federal indictment for cocaine distribution charges.

Chellis, a public accountant of more than 30 years who has represented Summerville in the House since 1997, received a long applause from his fellow legislators before being sworn-in by House Speaker Bobby Harrell (R-Charleston) and departing the chamber as the new state treasurer.

A motion by Sen. John Courson (R-Richland) to adjourn before selecting a treasurer in order to accept nominations outside of the legislature was soundly defeated. Charleston County Council Chair Tim Scott, who was endorsed by Gov. Mark Sanford, was not nominated.