The Republican Party of South Carolina voted on Saturday to formally censor Rep. Tom Rice, who represents the state’s 7th Congressional District, for his vote to oust former President Donald Trump in the House of Representatives.
“We made our disappointment clear on the night of the impeachment vote. Attempting to impeach a president, with a week left of his term, is never legitimate and is nothing more than a political kick on the way out the door, ”said SCGOP President Drew McKissick in a statement on Saturday afternoon . “Congressman Rice’s vote unfortunately got into the Democrats’ game, and the people in his district and, ultimately, on our State Executive Committee, wanted him to know that they totally disagree with his decision.”
Forty-three members of the state party’s executive committee voted in favor of the resolution, with no members against it and two abstaining, according to South Carolina Republican Party spokeswoman Claire Robinson.
Rice’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.
The congressman’s district covers the eastern part of the state, including Myrtle Beach and the North Carolina border. He was re-elected in November with more than 61% of the vote.
McKissick, immediately after the impeachment vote on January 13, released a statement saying: “We totally disagree with this farce and to say that I am deeply disappointed with Congressman Tom Rice would be an understatement.”
Last week, the Republican Party of Arizona voted to censor Governor Doug Ducey, former Senator Jeff Flake and Cindy McCain, who opposed Trump’s efforts to overthrow President Joe Biden’s victory or, in the case of Flake and McCain , endorsed the Democrat before the election.