South Carolina House Clerk Charles Reid shuffles papers before the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Republican South Carolina House Speaker Murrell Smith waves after being reelected speaker during the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Republican South Carolina Rep. Gil Gatch of Summerville speaks to a fellow House member during the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
South Carolina House Clerk Charles Reid, left, gives the oath of office to Democratic Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg during the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Republican South Carolina House Speaker Murrell Smith, left, has his robe adjusted by his wife, Macaulay Smith as Democratic Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter looks on during the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Republican South Carolina Rep. Jordan Pace of Goose Creek nominates an opponent to the House Speaker during the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Republican South Carolina Rep. R.J. May of Lexington sits at his new desk during the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Republican South Carolina Rep. R.J. May of Lexington speaks to reporters during the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Republican South Carolina House Speaker Pro Tem Tommy Pope speaks during the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Republican South Carolina House Speaker Murrell Smith, left, is sworn in by Democratic Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg, right, during the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Republican South Carolina Rep. R.J. May of Lexington, far right, takes the oath of office during the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Republican South Carolina House Speaker Murrell Smith, right, listens to his wife Macaulay Smith during the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Republican South Carolina House Speaker Murrell Smith, center, high fives House Clerk Charles Reid as Republican Rep. Micah Caskey of Springdale nominates Reid during the House organizational session on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
Republican South Carolina House Speaker Murrell Smith, right, speaks as his wife Macaulay Smith listens during the organizational session for the House on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)