REPS. BINGHAM, DUNCAN, EDGE NAMED CHIEF WHIPS

Courtesy of Jason Zacher:

COLUMBIA – House Majority Leader Jim Merrill announced the list of Majority Whips for the 2008 legislative session today, and appointed Reps. Kenny Bingham, Jeff Duncan and Tracy Edge as Chief Whips.

Four members were selected as whips for the first time: Rep. Bruce Bannister of Greenville, Rep. Phillip Lowe of Florence, Rep. Mick Mulvaney of Lancaster, and Rep, Phil Shoopman of Greer.

“The whip system is vital in ensuring our agenda becomes law,” Merrill said. “This is a critical job and being selected as a whip is a recognition of a member’s Republican values and influence on the floor.”

The rest of the appointees are: Eric Bedingfield of Greenville, Ben Hagood of Mt. Pleasant, Nikki Haley of Lexington, Nelson Hardwick of Surfside, Bill Herbkersman of Bluffton, Bob Leach of Greenville, Ted Pitts of Lexington, B.R. Skelton of Six Mile, Roland Smith of Warrenville, Michael Thompson of Anderson, David Umphlett of Moncks Corner, and Thad Viers of Myrtle Beach.

The Majority Whips are responsible for lining up votes on critical pieces of legislation, promoting the Caucus agenda, and assisting the elected Caucus leadership.

The House Republican Caucus will unveil its 2008 legislative agenda in January.