COLUMBIA --- Court of Appeals Chief Judge Kaye Hearn was selected Wednesday as the newest member of the South Carolina Supreme Court, only the second woman ever to sit on the state's highest bench.
Judge Hearn, 59, was the only person on the ballot when state House and Senate members voted her in as the next justice during a joint session.
Last month, the other two candidates -- Circuit Judges John Few of Greenville and Deadra Jefferson of Charleston -- withdrew their names from consideration.
Judge Hearn, who had tried for a seat on the high court twice before, downplayed the significance of being the second woman, saying she was chosen for her qualifications, not her gender.
"I believe in patience and perseverance," she said. "It was definitely worthwhile."
Judge Hearn said she expects to be sworn in either in late fall or early January to fill the seat vacated by Justice John Waller of Marion, who is retiring. His term expires in 2012.
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