SC elections agency taps internal candidate for permanent director after monthslong search
Howard M. Knapp will become the fifth executive director to oversee elections in South Carolina after a unanimous vote Thursday by the State Election Commission.
The State Election Commission made the announcement Friday that it selected an internal candidate following a monthslong search.
Knapp was serving as interim director after previous director Marci Andino step down to take a new job in October.
Her departure came roughly a year after she pushed the Republican-controlled Legislature to enact COVID-19-related measures to ensure voter health and safety ahead of the November 2020 election.
Knapp worked as the director of voter services, and was responsible for information technology, cybersecurity and support for the statewide voting system, area representatives and election audit initiatives and processes, the agency said.
Knapp, who lives in Columbia, has worked for several state agencies.
He previously worked for the S.C. Legislative Audit Council, the Office of Regulatory Staff, the Executive Budget Office and the Department of Social Services.
Knapp was earning $114,927 a year as interim executive director. His salary as the permanent executive director is subject to approval by the Legislature’s Agency Head Salary Commission, a panel of top lawmakers who decide agency head pay.
“I am humbled and appreciative of the (election) commission’s vote of confidence in me to lead the agency,” Knapp said. “I look forward to serving the citizens of South Carolina to the best of my ability.”
This story was originally published January 28, 2022 at 3:18 PM with the headline "SC elections agency taps internal candidate for permanent director after monthslong search."
