LAURENS SENATOR NAMED NEW MAJORITY WHIP

In yet another completely unsurprising move, Sen. Danny Verdin was named the new State Senate majority whip during a Republican Caucus meeting today.

Verdin essentially carried out the role in an unofficial capacity during the general election by serving as Majority Leader Harvey Peeler’s henchman and chaperoning meetings with Republican candidates, but today it became official.

He will replace outgoing Senate Majority Whip Jim Ritchie — who was soundly defeated by 33 points in his bid for re-election during the Republican primary runoff by Shane Martin — when the 2009-10 session convenes in January.

The House Republicans effectively named their leadership earlier this month, with Kenny Bingham winning the majority leader post and Bruce Bannister earning the assistant majority leader position.

As for the Democrats, well, I don’t really care. So I guess that’s that.