COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The South Carolina Election Commission has appointed a new leader.

The commission said it unanimously voted Tuesday to promote Jenny Wooten, the current interim director and chief of staff, to executive director.

Wooten was appointed interim director after former executive director Howard Knapp was fired in September during a state investigation for alleged misconduct. He and former deputy director Paige Salonich were later arrested as a result of that investigation.

Wooten first joined the election commission in 2022 as a policy and outreach coordinator. Her experience also includes time with the lieutenant governor’s, attorney general’s and state treasurer’s offices.

Her appointment is subject to approval from the South Carolina State Senate.

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