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Governor’s nominee Cynthia Smith Crick advances after Senate screening

South Carolina Senate Committee (subcommittee) · February 17, 2026

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Summary

Cynthia Smith Crick, nominated to fill the unexpired term as solicitor for the 13th Judicial Circuit, told the committee she will run in the general election and described a prosecutorial philosophy rooted in Rule 3.8 duties; the committee advanced her nomination by unanimous voice vote.

Senators screened Cynthia Smith Crick on her nomination to serve as solicitor for the 13th Judicial Circuit and voted to advance her to the full Senate.

Crick told the committee she has practiced law for 24 years, served as an assistant solicitor in Spartanburg, was chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy, and most recently led a private practice that focused on Title IX and criminal cases. She said she was appointed by Gov. McMaster to fill an unexpired term and that she plans to run in the upcoming general election.

Asked how she would handle exculpatory information that emerges after a conviction, Crick cited Rule 3.8 and said there is “no option” other than to bring such information forward and take appropriate steps to remedy the situation. She described prosecutors as “ministers of justice” bound by ethical duties to pursue truth and to protect both victims’ interests and defendants’ rights.

Committee members asked about her prior background checks, financial disclosures and potential conflicts; Crick said there were no changes to report, no disciplinary history and that she would recuse herself from any matters involving her husband’s former private-practice clients now at the U.S. attorney’s office.

After brief remarks from committee members who previously reported her favorably from subcommittee, a senator moved and the committee approved a favorable report by voice vote to send the nomination to the full Senate.