House panel screens Christian Melissa Cross for State Ethics Commission seat

Christian Melissa Cross Gurwe, the House minority party’s appointment to the State Ethics Commission, was sworn in and screened Wednesday by a legislative committee before the panel voted to forward a favorable report to the House floor.

Counsel Trask administered the oath and summarized Cross’s record: a B.A. from Clemson University Honors College (2004), a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law (2007), admission to the South Carolina bar in 2007, prior roles in insurance defense and workers’ compensation practice, and leadership of Morgan & Morgan’s South Carolina workers’ compensation practice. Trask also noted past public appointments, including service on the South Carolina Board of Accountancy and the Judicial Merit Selection Commission. Trask said Cross’s driver record, financial statement, credit check and SLED report showed no concerns and that a search revealed no civil lawsuits.

When asked about conflicts of interest, Cross said she had no current public-employment or lobbying roles and disclosed a $250 campaign contribution to Representative William Clyburn on June 4, 2024. She told the committee she would discuss any potential conflict with the executive director and the commission chair and said she would recuse herself if necessary. “I appreciate your time. I’m really excited and hopeful to have an opportunity to serve,” Cross told the committee.

With no committee questions, the chair asked for a motion for a favorable report. The record names Representative King as the mover and Vice Chair Weeks as the seconder; the chair ordered a roll call and members present recorded affirmative responses. The chair said the nomination will be forwarded to the House floor for further consideration.

The committee’s favorable report does not itself complete the appointment; final action requires consideration by the full House and any additional steps spelled out in law or chamber rules.